Northern Traditional Rulers, Retired Military Officers Back Atiku, Dare Wike

 PROMINENT traditional rulers and notable retired military officers from the Northern part of the country have thrown their weight behind the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over what they perceived as the unsalutary manner the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is insisting Atiku must force the national chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to resign. 


The eminent northern leaders have also resolved to adopt a campaign slogan of “Alhaji Atiku, namu namu ne” meaning – Alhaji Atiku is our own, as their slogan. An impeccable source, who held a prominent position in the administration of the former head of state, General Ibrahim Babaginda but would want to remain anonymous disclosed that the eminent leaders have also reached out to PDP leaders not to dance to the tune of those clamouring for the suspension of the River state governor, saying doing so will give him more opportunity- “to demonstrate his political arrogance.” 

The source speaking on behalf of the eminent northerners said: “Instead, the party should tactically continue to appeal to and woo him to their side, but if he remains adamant, he would be seen as a desperate politician.” 

The source described as a big advantage the coming of former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, representing Kano Central senatorial district to the PDP. 

According to him, “With Senator Shekarau now in the party, it will be an advantage for the PDP to get the bulk of votes that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu and his counterpart in the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, might secure in Kano and the North-West. 

He also hinted that now that no fewer than five states in the South-West have dissociated themselves from the ‘Ayu must go’ syndrome, it is clear that only Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is with the River’s State governor, a situation, he said, is dangerous to Makinde’s second term ambition. 

The leaders, however, cautioned those in the camp of Wike, especially those seeking re-election to watch out.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: We’re Talking With PDP, Says Lawal - Politics - Nairaland

Image
  A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, and ex-Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, may be on their way out of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Lawal disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday. Lawal and Dogara have been critical of the decision of the APC to settle for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 elections and recently vowed to mobilise Northern Christians to reject the Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket In a telephone interview with our correspondent, the ex-SGF said the agitation against the Muslim-Muslim ticket was nothing personal but a representation of the wish of a people who are part of the Nigerian nation “demanding for fair and equitable representation.” According to him, no decision has yet been made on whether or not to quit the ruling party. He added, however, that  “what we are doing is for the sake of Nigeria. Of the 18 political parties in the country, we are talking to the Peo
Read more

Cast your vote without religious sentiment – Tinubu urges Christian community

Image
  The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday in Kano, appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to eschew religious sentiment and vote for him in the 2023 presidential election, insisting that he is the best candidate to give Nigeria good leadership. Tinubu spoke during an interface with CAN leadership in Kano led by the state chairman, Rev. Samuel Adeyemo. The APC presidential candidate, who spoke at Africa House, Government House, Kano, reminded the Christian leaders that he is married to a pastor, insisting that his decision for a Muslim-Muslim ticket was never to spite Christians but to ensure that he used the best political formula to win elections. “Thank you, everyone here. Thank you, CAN. Thank you, Pastors. I am a unique Muslim because I am married to a Pastor. When I am at home, she is the boss. “I did not try to Islamise her. We have two bedside lamps, one with the Bible, and the other one with the Hol
Read more

We Will Dialogue With IPOB, Others, Tinubu Assures

Image
  All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju  Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his government will discuss with all agitating groups to address their grievances in search of a peaceful resolution if elected. We’ll dialogue with IPOB, others, Tinubu assures All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his government will discuss with all agitating groups to address their grievances in search of a peaceful resolution if elected. Tinubu, who was in Owerri the Imo State capital on Thursday to dialogue with trade associations and the private sector, said his government will also establish industrial hubs across the nation as well as modernise existing ones to put the country on path of industrial growth. He said that only peace can guarantee a return of investment, adding that his government would comprise of people from every section that would discuss the grievances with all groups with a view to finding peaceful resolution. I gua
Read more