2015: 10 Opposition Govs Meet In Lagos
Ten governors from different opposition parties yesterday converged on Lagos with a resolve to oust the ruling PDP from power in the 2015 general election. The meeting of the 10 governors was the first since the opposition political parties started making merger plans.
The governors, who endorsed the merger plans of the parties, vowed to stop the quasi-one-party system in the country, saying it is not good for the nation’s hard-earned democracy.
Briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting, Borno State governor Kashim Shettima said the meeting was informed by their concerns on Nigeria and the way forward.
Shettima said: “We the governors of Borno, Ekiti, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Yobe and Zamfara rose from a meeting at Lagos House, Marina, today Tuesday. Having reviewed the situation in our country , we resolved that to rescue Nigeria is a task that must be done.
“As progressives and patriotic leaders of our people across party, religious and geopolitical zones, we are extremely concerned about the state of the nation, as we put our heads together in the interest of our people to deliberate on what can be done to rescue our country.”
Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha said there was no room for skepticism over the merger plans, noting that the merger plans would be driven by the governors and leaders of the parties.
“The merger has become very necessary in order to save our democracy and the likelihood of turning Nigeria into a one-party state does not augur well for democracy. Therefore, I personally fully endorse this movement and this new merger at least to rescue the nation. And we say we are on a rescue mission here and to make sure Nigeria gets better; the essence of this whole merger is to make Nigeria a better nation,” said Okorocha.
Also speaking, Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said, “Skepticism is one thing; the commitment that we bring to the table will certainly override any skepticism. I am convinced that the full weight of 10 of us governors and many more who unfortunately could not make it today is a much stronger force. The underlying reason is clearly how to make this country a better place, this is not the best that this country can have and we intend to deliver Nigeria’s best.”
In his remarks on the occasion Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun assured that a lot of other people would come on board once they see the sincerity of those driving the process.
He said: “That is why we are not taking this lightly. We are very determined and I am sure, that with the support of all Nigerians, this merger will work.”
For his part, Zamfara State governor Abdul-Aziz Yari said: “The move is to fix Nigeria in the right perspective, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is something else and if we as opposition say that we are right and you as journalists and many people outside here – go and ask them whether they are happy since 1999 till date or not. So, therefore, it is a duty for all of us as leaders to drive our people right and we believe the PDP have done less.
“We have the idea, the knowledge and we has the progressive idea to move the country forward, so if you say that we intend to move the PDP out of power, yes we are ready to do that”.
State Governors present at the meeting were Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Abdul-Aziz Yari (Zamfara), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) while Senator Degere Alkali represented the governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam.
Lamido/Amaechi campaign vehicles appear in Kaduna
Meanwhile, as the 2015 presidential race begins to gather momentum, Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido and his Rivers State counterpart Rotimi Ameachi’s hopeful presidential ticket seems to be on the front: some branded vehicles appeared in Kaduna yesterday.
One of such branded vehicles with the pictures of Lamido and Amaechi was sighted at a car wash by Waff Road, an exclusive residential area in Kaduna. It attracted the attention of passers-by who were seen making some political comments on the development and the chances of the duo.
our reporter findings thereafter revealed that those spearheading the campaign team were in the state for a secret meeting in preparation for the 2015 presidential race.
It was also gathered that the meeting was to identify strong forces in the state that would commence underground work for the presidential hopeful ticket.
our reporter had exclusively reported last year that, ahead of political horse-trading over who becomes the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, indications emerged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is backing Lamido and Amaechi for the coveted positions respectively.
A source close to Obasanjo also confided in our reporter that the former president is now drumming support for a power shift to the north.
Obasanjo has insisted severally that incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan must exit the position come 2015.
In recent times, there have been clamouring from various quarters for northern presidency come 2015, even though northern groups like the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a recent interview granted by its national publicity secretary, Anthony Sani, had said it was too early to talk about the 2015 presidential election.
Drumming support for Lamido’s candidature recently, the chairman, Kazaure local government area of Jigawa State, Dr Saleh Yahaya Taiki, described him a man of integrity who has proven beyond reasonable doubt his ability to discharge responsibilities very well.
our reporter effort to speak with the driver of one of the branded vehicles was unsuccessful as he declined comment on their mission in the state.
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