‘Why we’re kick-starting campaign for Jonathan in the North-East’

I agree with those saying that Jonathan should contest in the 2011 elections under PDP because, if you look at our former northern leaders, we have been in power for over 37 years and, unfortunately, most of our leaders have not laid any concrete development plan for the north. We have so many mineral resources […]

I agree with those saying that Jonathan should contest in the 2011 elections under PDP because, if you look at our former northern leaders, we have been in power for over 37 years and, unfortunately, most of our leaders have not laid any concrete development plan for the north. We have so many mineral resources in the north. if we can harness them  we will be very rich.

Up till today, we can’t find any leader in the north that is as reliable and selfless as the Sardauna and that is why we are always making reference to him. If we had serious leaders they would have discovered a lot of mineral resources in the north that would have enabled us to compete with other parts of the country. I am sure if that had been the case, the issue of frustration or zoning would not be the case because we have everything to our advantage, including population.

It is when they leave office that they realize they don’t have anywhere else to live but in the north. The only thing they will start doing is to start championing the cause of the north. Jonathan is contesting under the PDP.  If those asking for Northern presidency are serious, they should have left the party to form another party, we have many parties. They should behave like Buhari, he is a man of principle, and he has the courage.

Without the zoning system, I foresee a situation where a competent person will emerge. If you remember, during the 1993 elections at the primaries, you had the late Shehu Yar’adua, Adamu Ciroma and Umaru Shinkafi. These northerners defeated southern candidates in southern states. Look at the late Moshood Abiola; he defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa even in Kano State.

There is an organization called the Jonathan Movement in Bauchi. What is your role in it?

I am the coordinator of Jonathan Movement in Gombe State. And I am championing this cause because, like I said, I don’t believe in the zoning system. So let Jonathan come out and contest the election. We believe in continuity and Jonathan has been the vice president and there has been the president and we believe changing things frequently will distort a lot of things. Once this president goes, the next one will come with a completely different policy and we believe in stability. If Jonathan wins the election in 2011, he will continue with the present policies which I believe he can sustain. What we need to do is like what Governor Babangida Aliyu said, that the north should know what it wants. We should articulate what we want and we must insist that we get them. They just want to be leaders a they don’t have anything to offer to the north.

Let’s go back to your organization, where and when is the launching taking place?

It is taking place in Bauchi; that is the zonal headquarters of the North-East because the PDP zonal headquarters is in Bauchi. The event will take place on June 26, and we will mobilize all the northerners to Bauchi and call for Jonathan. We have supporters all over the country. We expect governors who don’t have the ambition of becoming president to be there. We don’t expect ministers because we don’t want it to be a government affair. But we are looking for elected members, like members of the National Assembly.

How do you get your funding? Is it from the president?

No, we don’t get it from the president. We tax ourselves.

Is Governor Isa Yuguda behind the movement?

No, nobody is behind it. He is not financing it, but like I told you, Yuguda and other governors are entitled to attend.

Is he likely to attend?

We would like him to attend as well as all the governors and members of the National Assembly from the zone within the PDP.

Why did you choose the north to start with?

The North, because it is the region where people are saying the leadership should come back to. We are people of like minds, saying that Nigeria belongs to all of us and not only one region. And we believe the north will be better off under the southern leader.  We believe if we start from the north, the president will see that the northerners like him. There is nothing special about a northerner becoming the president of Nigeria.

How many people are you planning to host in Bauchi?

We are looking at as many as possible. We want all the governors to attend. We are targeting all the elected members from our zone. Political leaders from other zones are all expected to come.

How many people are you looking at maybe in the states?

In any state, we are looking at a minimum of 200,000 persons. In states where we have over one million voters, if we can get like 300,000 delegates, it will be okay. We are looking at about one million people in Bauchi for the rally. We really wish we could invite more.

Do you think that given the short period before the elections, it is possible to sell Goodluck to Nigerians?

He is sellable because he is already there. It is difficult to sell others who are looking for his job. So the time is too short for others, but Jonathan is already there. The only thing he should do now is to concentrate on his job. If he can guarantee improved power supply, then it would be easy. We thank God he is already implementing the electoral reform.