Former military head of state General Ibrahim Badamosi when addressing journalists shortly after, Professor Ango Abdullahi explained that about four aspirants from the north presented themselves for the consensus.
The
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Northern Elders have endorsed Bauchi State
Governor, Bala Mohammed and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki as the
northern consensus candidates of the opposition party.
The
decision was reached after a meeting held between the elders with General
Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at his Country home in Minna.
They
include Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Bala Mohammed, Bukola Saraki,
as well as Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
However,
he stated, “the purpose of this exercise, it is hereby resolved that Governor
Bala Mohammed from the North East and former Senate President Bukola Saraki
from the North Central be presented as the northern consensus candidates for
the moment.”
Ango
advised the two aspirants to work together to give room for further
consultations to come up with one consensus candidate to ensure a peaceful
primaries.
“Doing so
will foster understanding among themselves and the PDP community to ensure a
rancour free primaries in which all eligible candidates would be free to
exercise their right.”
He also
revealed that General Babangida opted for inclusion through wider consultation
and assigned him to design a criteria and carry out the necessary consultations
with elders and leaders in the three geopolitical regions in the north.
Speaking,
Governor Mohammed told journalists that he and Saraki would meet to come up
with one consensus presidential candidate to ensure unity for the north and
Nigeria.
“We have
reached an agreement to seek consensus so that we can close ranks and build
unity for the north and Nigeria. We are happy that after due process and due
consultation, involving the PDP Northern Elders Forum, I and Saraki have been
chosen as Northern consensus candidates. We will go ahead and consult more
among ourselves and bring out one candidate.”
Governor
Mohammed further said that the consensus is the representation of the north and
that discussions are on with other aspirants from the south.
The
governor, however, added that other aspirants not endorsed are free to aspire
if they desire, while thanking General IBB, the northern elders and other
chieftains of PDP for having confidence in them.
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