By Emeka Mamah
Apparently miffed by reports that northern governors under the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had resolved to dump President Goodluck Jonathan over his perceived 2015 presidential ambition, the Northern States’ Unity Movement, NSUM, and the Kaduna- based Democratic Advancement Option, DAO, Tuesday asked the governors to save their political car-rears first before thinking of Jonathan.
They groups stated that most of the governors had no clout as they had lost the support of their electorates, wondering why they were falsely regarding themselves as political god-fathers of the north.
According to them the President would have no difficulty winning the 2015 presidential election in the north.
They spoke at separate interviews with Vanguard yesterday.
According to NSUM, led by Alhaji Mohammed Ismaila Musa, the north was not against Jonathan since he had the constitutional right to seek a second term in office.
According to Alhaji Musa, ”Except about three governors including those of Niger, Sokoto and Kano States, we are not aware that Northern governors are against Jonathan or the Vice President, Namadi Sambo. In the case of the Niger State governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, we have it on good authority that he is angry with Jonathan because of his alleged refusal to appoint him Vice President when late President Umaru Shehu Yar’Adua died.
”As a result of this, Dr Aliyu did not support Jonathan during the 2011 PDP presidential primary and this is a known fact. The result of the PDP primary is in the public domain and there is no need repeating same. The Niger State PDP led by the governor worked for and supported the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; so we all know where he is coming from.
”In the case of Governor Magatakada Wamakko, we can say that his reasons for hating Jonathan has something to do with religion. This is a man who could not manage a simple dispute with an official of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, leading to prolonged labour crises. It is only in this country that a governor who is reportedly short tempered can aspire for higher positions.
”The case of the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Musa Kwakwanso is even milder because he is not opposed to Jonathan as such. His case is different from the others because it involves minor issues which can easily be sorted out. We can authoritatively say that apart from these three cases, the other northern governors support Jonathan and would work for his joint ticket with Sambo.
”For examples, the Governor of Kaduna State, Muktar Yero is the political son of the Vice President, who would not work against Jonathan. The Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam is a known friend of Jonathan, who had openly supported him, just like Sule Lamido and Isah Yuguda of Jigawa and Bauchi States respectively.
”The new Taraba State governor is just trying to find his feet by looking for a bearing and would not work against Jonathan or his deputy. We all know that his Plateau State counterpart is a known Jonathan ally.”
Also, the Democratic Advancement Option, led by Musa Zubairu spoke in the same vein, pointing out that the security situation in some parts of the north which was one of the reasons used to blackmail Jonathan was not caused by him.
”The Boko Haram is a northern phenomenon. It was formed by some rich northern extremists claiming to be true Muslims. The fact that Muslim scholars like Sheik Ahmad Gumi is openly opposed to amnesty for Boko Haram members is a pointer to what we are saying.
“Some rich northern elites formed the sect to force Jonathan to hand over power to them, but you cannot destroy the country for certain individuals’ ambition. The north ruled Nigeria for over 35 out its 52 years of her independence but could not develop their area, so whose fault is it on the non-development of the area?,” Zubeiru added.
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