Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), Dr. Babangida Aliyu, yesterday alleged that 400 prominent northerners have been bribed with a view to returning President Goodluck Jonathan to office in 2015.
He vowed to publicly name those involved in the plot to ‘betray’ the north in 2015 “as soon as we lay our hands on the list of the people”.
The Niger State governor spoke in Minna at the 25th anniversary of the enthronement of Alhaji Umaru Bahago as Emir of Minna.
“We are looking for that list so that we will tell the people of the region that these are the people that want to betray you,” he said.
“We heard a rumour that some people have a list of 400 prominent northerners that they are going to settle and that they are sure if they settle the 400 everything will be okay in 2015.”
But he said the North has nothing to be afraid of in 2015 since election is a game of numbers.
He said: “No matter what happens in 2015 we (northerners) should not be afraid because politics is a game of numbers. Through the ballot box we can always determine who becomes our leader. Do not be afraid, let there be 200 candidates, God will allow only one to emerge.”
He expressed dismay at the outcome of the Anambra governorship election, saying: “we prayed that what happened in Anambra would not repeat itself in 2015 because that could cause a problem for all of us as a nation.
“We must put our hands on the deck to ensure that INEC, and the people understand the right thing.”
He paid tribute to the Emir’s late father and predecessor, Alhaji Ahmadu Bahago, as ” an epitome of leadership commitment and foresight, measurable by the time and energy he invested in everything.
“I think the greatest legacy left behind for this nation by the late Emir was his ability to provide a pragmatic and dynamic leadership that balanced the interests of all the diverse people of Minna Emirate Council as a foundation for the remarkable growth and development we are witnessing in Minna today,” he said.
He pointed out that there would be no ethnic violence in any part of the country if every leader behaved like the late Ahmadu Bahago.
Also speaking, former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, said the country needs a visionary and focused leader to take the country to greater heights, adding that without peace and security the development of the country will be hampered.
Source: The Nation
