Categories: POLITICS

Presidency: North Has Four Years To Meet Up With South — Ango Abdullahi

The Convener of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, has warned that any attempt to subvert the conduct of a free, fair, and credible election will be countered.

Abdullahi gave the warning at the ongoing General Assembly and 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Northern Elders Forum, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the North had given its support and had “rubbed more backs” of leaders from other regions of the country without sentiments.

He added that those warning the North against their aspirations to the Presidency had no right to do so, as it was also their right to contest the office, as many times as they wished to.

The NEF convener also called for the acceptance of the presidency of whoever emerged at the end of the conduct of the election without sentiments, stating that elections should only be won based only on thumbprints.

“The constitution is very clear that I can stand the election twenty times, and I can lose twenty times. But nothing should stop me from contesting elections if I want. Then when you look at it in terms of well, ‘do me I do you’, rub my back and I rub yours, the North has rubbed more backs than its back has been rubbed. Even if you are talking about the years in power from 1999 till date, Obasanjo did eight years; Jonathan six, that is 14; Umaru two, and now Buhari eight years. So, I am being owed even in the number of years, four years.

Sponsored

“The issue should not have been we are not qualified to contest, we have no right to contest. Certainly, this is the reason we are saying now that the issue in the Nigerian political environment, must be based on democratic tenets only. There should be no issue of reserving anything for anybody. If you win an election, you win on the basis of this thumbprint. If you win, we will accept.

“But for us to begin to see threats that if this happens, and we do not like it, we’ll do something negative, we are warning that the election will be contested hopefully free and fair, and credible. And anybody who wins the election must be accepted as the winner of the election, without sentiments. And if there is any attempt to subvert it, then we’ll be ready to also counter,” he said.

On his part the Director-General of the Forum, Prof. Doknan Sheni, in his address said “the north will continue to accept any candidate that wins the elections fairly, on the terms of one man one vote. We do not intend to be intimidated by improper or uncivil utterances or threats of violence. Nor will we be coerced to supporting a candidate based on non-democratic principles”.

Also in attendance at the event are the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, and a representative of the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the All-Progressives Congress, Senator Kashim Shettima.

SPONSORED
Alex Enemanna

A print journalist with vast knowledge of political developments in Nigeria. Passionate about equity and fairness through robust developmental journalism.

Recent Posts

Nigeria’s Chief Of Defence Staff Hails Simon Ekpa’s Arrest, Awaits Extradition

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said he hoped that with the arrest…

8 hours ago

Gov. Sanwo-Olu Presents ₦3trn 2025 Budget To Lagos Assembly

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has presented the sum of ₦3.005 trillion before the state…

10 hours ago

Abia CP Storms Ohafia, Vows To Smoke Out Gunmen Who Attacked Police Officers

Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa on Wednesday led an operation along Asaga…

11 hours ago

Abia Man Urges Gov. Otti To Borrow Former Governors’ Models To Tackle Insecurity

Popular Abia-born journalist and online publisher Ifeanyi Okali has called on the state governor, Dr.…

12 hours ago

Akpabio-led Senate Approves Tinubu’s Fresh $2.2bn Loan Request

The Senate, on Thursday, approved the $2.2 billion fresh loan request by President Bola Ahmed…

13 hours ago

Popular Attorney And Activist Shot Dead In Benue

Mike Ofikwu, an activist and lawyer from Otukpo, was brutally killed by unidentified armed men…

15 hours ago