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Tag: Aliyu

  • Aliyu: I’ll contest 2015 Presidency if…

    Aliyu: I’ll contest 2015 Presidency if…

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has expressed his readiness to take a shot at the Presidency in 2015, if he the people want him to join the race.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Minna, the state capital, when he hosted delegates of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), led by its Chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.

    Aliyu said: “I always prepare myself for eventuality. I have never declared for anything. I didn’t declare to be governor; I was called upon. So, if my people call upon me, I won’t hesitate to contest.”

    The governor cautioned against political intolerance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at all levels of government to opposition.

    He noted that a one-party state was undemocratic.

    Aliyu maintained that a multiple-party system at any level would encourage healthy competition and enable the people to choose the best to be their leaders.

    He said: “Every ruling party wants to have a one-party state. I encourage a multiple-party system so that there would be peer review and for the people to have choices of ideology and style. We need to show the people the differences in what is to be done and how we can run the affair of governance.

    “A one-party state is undemocratic as it makes one to want to crush another over a little disagreement.”

    Aliyu condemned the undemocratic forces in Rivers State, where the people were restricted from holding meetings or gatherings.

    The governor stressed that this should not be allowed to continue.

    He said: “Undemocratic forces are very active in Rivers State. People cannot meet or gather for activities. Even during the military era, people were still allowed to meet. This has already happened and, if we allow it to continue, it will ruin the peace in the country.”

    Musa said he and his team were in Niger State for CNPP’s annual conference.

    He said the CNPP was not an opposition party but an umbrella of smaller political parties and political organisations.

  • Aliyu proposes 910 delegates for dialogue

    Aliyu proposes 910 delegates for dialogue

    The Chairman Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has suggested a 910-man National Conference, with 774 of the delegates elected from the local government areas.

    The governor said the traditional institution should appoint a member each from the 36 states while the remaining 100 delegates should be appointed to represent special interest groups and concerns.

    Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, when Senator Femi Okunrounmu led other members of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the National Conference to visit the governor at the Government House.

    The NSGF chairman said the existing institutions, especially those at the grassroots, should be used as the basis for electing the delegates to the national conference.

    He said: “We should use the institutions on ground to select the delegates. We have to use the local government as that basis of the selection of the delegates for the national dialogue.

    “I suggest that 774 delegates should be elected from the local government areas in the country, 100 delegates from special interest groups and 36 from traditional rulers representing the traditional institutions in the 36 states in Nigeria.”

    The umbrella body of Southern Kaduna people, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has said it is better for the delegates to the proposed National Conference to emerge through an election rather than by government appointment.

    SOKAPU also said the conference should be allowed to discuss and agree on the type of federal structure the nation should operate as well as the type of government that would be most cost effective.

    In a statement yesterday in Kaduna by its General Secretary, Adamu Marshal, the union said it viewed the conference as a window of hope for the ethnic nationalities to express their candid views on how best to foster a more united, stable and progressive Nigeria.

    SOKAPU said it had submitted its position paper to the Senator Femi Okunrounmu-led Advisory Committee on the conference.

    It added that the type of federal structure and its operations must protect and defend the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in the country.

  • Aliyu: we’re not at war with Jonathan

    Aliyu: we’re not at war with Jonathan

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has said he and the state are not at war with President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The governor was reacting to the cold war between the President and the seven “rebellious” governors, c alled the G-7 of the ruling party.

    Aliyu spoke yesterday at the Government House in Minna when Christian pilgrims from the state for this year’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem paid him a farewell visit.

    The governor urged the intending pilgrims, who will join President Jonathan during the pilgrimage, to inform him of his new position.

    He said: “You are lucky you will be performing the pilgrimage with an important visitor (the President). If you have the opportunity, when you get to the holy land, please, tell President Jonathan that we don’t have any problem with him.”

    Aliyu and six other PDP governors have been at daggers-drawn with the party since the special national convention of the party at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

    The group has been calling for the removal of PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and for Jonathan not to contest in the 2015 election.

    Aliyu told the intending pilgrims that the disagreement was not a fight between the state and the President.

    The governor blamed the problems facing the country on ignorance among Nigerians.

    He advised that people should be abreast of developments around them and in the country.

    Aliyu noted that there was no reason for religious squabbles among Nigerians over their beliefs.

  • Atiku, Aliyu, Nyako plot North’s strategy for 2015

    Atiku, Aliyu, Nyako plot North’s strategy for 2015

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar  and Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and Babangida Aliyu of Niger State were last Friday locked  in a night-long meeting  to strategise on the political fortune of the North ahead of the 2015 elections.

    The meeting held at the Yola residence of Atiku, came a few hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the PDP from parading itself as the leadership of the party.

    The three politicians are key members of the Baraje’s faction, which is fiercely opposed to a fresh ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

    The meeting was said to have harped on the need to mobilise the North for the struggle ahead.

    Aliyu appeared to have given vent to this decision yesterday in Yola when he said it is imperative for the North to reclaim its leadership position in the country.

    The governor, who doubles as Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, spoke at the turbanning of Mr. Daniel Bwala as the Talban Adamawa by the Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha.

    The North, he said, should rally behind the former vice president in the struggle.

    His words: “I want to articulate my earlier appeal in Sokoto where I urged you, former Vice President, to help us unify and unite northern brethren to ensure that we have one northern entity devoid of primordial sentiments and differences.”

    He also spoke on the proposed national conference and the crisis in PDP.

    Aliyu said the North is all for the conference and will use it to address issues affecting its people.

    He expressed optimism that the talks will make Nigeria a better country for everyone.

    But he stressed that for the North to benefit from the conference, it will have to send its best eleven, because as he said, there is much at stake.

    He asked the 19 states in the North to select only those who understand the issues at stake and are able to get the best for their people.

    “The North is not afraid of the conference being planned by the Federal Government. We should have nothing to fear because I believe strongly that Nigeria will come out of it a better country that it is today.”

    Aliyu added: “We should therefore embrace the National Conference and send in our first eleven team and avoid dealing with charlatans and people who cannot discuss the issues at stake and bring about the required peace and unity of this country.”

    On the PDP crisis, Aliyu said the group of seven governors is only interested in entrenching true democratic values in the party and ensuring unity and peace in the country.

    He said the PDP crisis was caused by the undemocratic attitude of leaders who placed their personal interests above the collective interest of the nation.

    According to him: “Many people did not understand what transpired when seven of us said we want true democracy to prevail in the ruling party.

    “Whatever happens in PDP will surely affect Nigeria because it is the ruling party and following the drift in the party, we, the concerned members, felt that we must make sacrifices in order to restore equity, justice and fair play in the polity.”

  • Aliyu: CAN’s outburst politically – motivated

    Aliyu: CAN’s outburst politically – motivated

    The Chairman of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday said he has uncovered plans by some desperate politicians to discredit some serving leaders.

    Referring to the allegation by the northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that he (Aliyu) was among the people causing disunity in the region, the governor said the outburst was a product of an induced statement, which must have been made to justify the money collected.

    CAN’s spokesman for the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Sunday Oibe, on Wednesday in Kaduna, accused Aliyu of working against the unity of the region.

    Oibe alleged that the governor discriminated against Christians in Niger State in his appointment.

    The CAN spokesman said Aliyu’s allegation that some people were plotting disunity of the North was a farce.

    But addressing members of the Niger State CAN and the state Christian Pilgrims’ Board, led by its Chairman, Rev. Musa Dada at his home yesterday, Aliyu said: “Politicians are becoming desperate, giving money to wrong people to say things against other people. To justify the money they have collected, these people must talk.”

    The governor advised CAN’s leadership not allow any politician to use the association to cause disaffection in the region and the country.

    Aliyu said contrary to the accusation of North’s CAN, he did not discriminate between Muslims and Christians in the state.

    He said he had always been impartial in the recruitment of people into the civil service and did not give preference to a certain religion.

    Referring to the emergence of his deputy, who is a fellow Muslim, Aliyu said: “I didn’t choose the deputy governor or Speaker. This state had had a governor with a Christian deputy governor but the state did not see any impact as it has seen in my administration.

    “I am a governor for everyone. I have sworn to serve everyone in the state, regardless of their tribe, ethnicity or religion. I have been giving the people their equal rights since I assumed office as governor.

    “We need to cut the legs of the Trojan horses that are bent on causing disunity in our country. Every leader must identify with his people because the moment you start discriminating, you would have sown discord in the community.”

    The governor urged CAN members to always pray for the nation’s peace and live in harmony with followers of other religions.

    The State CAN Chairman Rev. Musa Dada hailed the governor for the mature way he handled religious affairs.

    He noted that Aliyu had not discriminated against Christians in any matter.

    Dissociating the state CAN from Oibe’s outburst, Dada described the spokesman’s statement as unfortunate.

  • Aliyu praises President’s decision on national dialogue

    Aliyu praises President’s decision on national dialogue

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday praised President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to send the outcome of the National Dialogue to the National Assembly.

    Aliyu spoke at his Minna home when intending Christian pilgrims to Israel, led by Mr Abraham Isah paid him Sallah homage.

    “The President is right that everything discussed at the forum must go to the National Assembly.

    “Sending the report of the dialogue to the National Assembly will be in line with the prevailing political arrangement in the country where there is presently sovereignty.’’

    He was optimistic that the final document that would emerge from the National and State Assemblies after the national dialogue “would be a Nigerian constitution made by Nigerians.’’

    The governor said the country would remain as one even after the dialogue, adding that the nation would be better strengthened democratically.

    Aliyu promised to continue to give equal treatment to Christians and Muslims in the state.

    He urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and its members to continue to pray for the peace of the country and live in harmony with other religious groups.

    Isah praised the governor for his non-discriminatory attitude.

  • IBB, Abdulsalami, Aliyu call for peace

    IBB, Abdulsalami, Aliyu call for peace

    A six-hour rainfall yesterday in Minna, the Niger State capital, forced Muslims to abandon the waterlogged permanent eid praying ground to converge on the township Central Mosque for the two-rakat Eid-el-Kabir prayers.

    The Chief Imam of Minna, Alhaji Ibrahim Fari, led the prayers, which started by 10.05am and ended by 10.13am.

    Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and scores of worshippers attended the prayers.

    Aliyu and the two former military leaders called for sustained peace and stability in the country.

    Babangida urged Nigerians to live in peace and love one another, in line with Islamic tenets.

    He noted that it was necessary to maintain good neighbourliness and safeguard the collective interest of the community and the country.

    “Let everyone of us be our brother’s keeper,” Gen. Babangida said.

    Gen. Abubakar said: “It is time to respect the tenets of Islam, which call for peace. I hope that each of us will try to maintain peace and be our brother’s keeper.”

    Aliyu said the country was in need of peace and unity to enable it attain its goals and sustain the socio-economic development it recorded recently.

    He said: “We should be prepared to sacrifice and contribute our quota for the development of the country.”

     

  • ‘Aliyu has no presidential ambition’

    ‘Aliyu has no presidential ambition’

    The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Saidu Kpaki, spoke with reporters in Minna, the state capital, on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crises and face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babangida Aliyu.

    Is Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu actually eyeing the Presidency?

    The Chief Servant is not after President Jonathan’s job as speculated by some people. This country returns to the general elections every four years to choose who should pilot the affairs of the country. So, every four years, the President’s job is declared vacant for a general contest.

    Those who claim that the Chief Servant was or is after President Jonathan’s job are mischief makers, who are bent on pitching two illustrious academics with doctoral degrees against one other. I don’t know whether you have heard anything new, but what I can categorically say is that in 2015, the Presidency will be declared vacant and Dr. Jonathan, just like every other Nigerian like the Chief Servant, will be free to lay a stake to it. This is the beauty and essence of democracy.

    Has the governor performed well in office?

    Without going into rhetorics, I make bold to say that this administration is anchored on planning and performance. When the present administration came on board in 2007, the education sector was in shambles and near total collapse. Due to his passion for education, the governor swung into action with the creation of the Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Ministry of Basic Education. This has gone a long way in transforming the education sector in the areas of management and provision of infrastructure, which to a large extent, ensured the enrollment of our children and better performance in public examinations.

    The government also declared free education for all pupils/ students in public schools, notwithstanding their states of origin, embarked on the payment of the NECO and WAEC fees for these students, a project which has received commendation by parents and other stakeholders.

    On health, this government was determined to take health care delivery close to the people. For instance, the administration carried out the construction of three new 110-bed hospitals at Gulu, Sabon Wuse and Nasko and equipped them with modern equipment. The rural hospitals at Bangi, Kutigi and Kuta were also upgraded to the status of general hospitals. The IBB Specialised Hospital, Minna, was also upgraded to a specialist hospital with full compliments of resident consultants.

    The administration declared free medical services for pregnant women, the aged and sickle cell patients. It also purchased and distributed free 1,700.000 insecticide treated mosquito nets to people in the 25 local government areas of the state and carried out free eye surgery for 11,500 eye patients in Minna, Bida and Kontagora. 4,000 other patients had their sights restored after undergoing cataract surgery under the full sponsorship of the state government.

    The major focus of the administration in the last six years is to turn agriculture to a money-spinning and employment-generating venture. Government has purchased over 258 tractors and other implements for use by small and large scale farmers.

    Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu is currently implementing the multi-million naira rice programme, which will make the state the largest rice producer and exporter in Africa.

    In the area of infrastructural development, Minna and other towns are now wearing new looks. The present administration constructed some roads, such as Kutigi-Fazhi, Batati-Dabban, Bonu-Gurara waterfalls, Luma-Babana, Industrial lay-out, Minna, AP-Kpagungu-Keteren-Gwari, Mu’azu Mohammed Road and Zarumai –Onigbinde Road. Government also purchased heavy equipment for road construction, which was given to all the local government councils.

    The Ward Development Projects initiated by the administration is a new approach and innovation to participatory democracy through projects identification and execution at the grassroots. Through this, the Chief Servant brought a new innovation to governance in the country, where people at the grassroots would initiate their own programmes and participate actively at every level of implementation.

    In its bid to make housing assessable to the majority of people at affordable rates, the administration has constructed 1500 housing units in Minna,Bida, Kontagora and Suleja.

    Does the governor has a succession plan?

    As far as I am concerned, the Chief Servant is not going away today or tomorrow. He still has about two years. So, we are expending our energies in milking more resourcefulness from him.

  • Aliyu alleges plot to divide North

    Aliyu alleges plot to divide North

    Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has alleged that there was a grand design to disunite the north and ensure the zone does not present a common and united front on national issues.

    He stated this yesterday at the formal commissioning of Liberty Radio in Kaduna.

    The governor said that unless the north and northerners wake up, the zone will soon go extinct. He further expressed worry that Northerners were being used by external forces to divide the zone.

    The governor said, “Today, I will disappoint many of you. Having come from this part of the world (the North), we honour and respect agreements and because of that, on September 15, the G7 governors and Mr. President agreed on a ceasefire; that no more public discussions of the problems that are at stake and I am not going to talk about them, because I have to honour the agreement.

    “We have to respect the office of Mr. President; we have to respect the President. But I must say that the struggle of the G7 governors is noble. We have opened the door; the struggle is now for Nigerians.

    “We must go beyond rhetorics and mobilise our people to understand the predicaments that we are in. We must go out to tell our people who are poor, who are waiting for any manna from heaven and waiting for people who have amassed wealth for the campaigns. If we don’t mobilise our people, they will be bought over. So, we must go back to our villages and hamlets to ensure that people appreciate and understand the role they have to play.

    “If we (the North) don’t change our condition, we will become extinct. There is already an attempt to make sure that the north does not present a united cause and the unfortunate thing is that it is not outsiders that are being used to do that, it is the people within.

    “When I received a delegation to withdraw what we are doing and that there is no North, then I said if there is no North, then there is no Niger State. If there is no Niger state, then there is no Minna and if there is no Minna, then there is no Babangida Aliyu.”

    The governor called for the unity of the region, adding that if the North is not united, it will run into a bigger problem, stressing, “We need peace and unity in Nigeria especially in the northern states; we need honest, committed and dedicated leaders in Nigeria, especially in the northern states. Even though we had one Accidental Public servant who did very well, we don’t want accidental leaders. We need leaders who have been prepared and ready for the mantle of leadership.

    “The Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has been encouraged to set up a committee on behalf of Northern Governors to look and collate all issues and arguments that may come up for discussion at the National Conference. I believe each state will set up similar committees so that we can adopt some positions that may guide our delegates.”

    Meanwhile, the governor also said an agreement has been reached between President Goodluck Jonathan and the G7 governors over the crisis rocking the ruling PDP.

    Aliyu stated that central issue in the agreement is for both parties to cease from making public statements on the PDP crisis.

     

  • North will survive if Nigeria breaks up, says Aliyu

    North will survive if Nigeria breaks up, says Aliyu

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu said yesterday that the North will survive in case of a breakup of the country.

    The region, he declared, is not afraid of being on its own as he warned against statements that suggest that the country is heading for a breakup.

    “If Nigeria splits, the north can still survive on its own contrary to the belief of some people in other regions that the north cannot survive if the nation disintegrates,” the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), stated yesterday.

    He spoke during a meeting in Minna with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) in his office.

    Aliyu cited some countries in Africa that had disintegrated in recent past, noting that such countries have not gone into extinction rather they have survived and are waxing stronger.

    “No community in Nigeria should be afraid of separation. If some people want to go, they should go, we will survive. We are not scared of separation,” he said

    “The same was said of Niger Republic. Niger was the poorest country in the world but today, if you see oil in Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Maiduguri, it would have come from Niger Republic.

    “There is no way Niger and Chad can have oil and improve their economy and the north will not be able to do the same”, Aliyu boasted.

    Although he did not say so, it was believed that Aliyu was responding to threats by ex-militant and Southsouth leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo that the nation would disintegrate in 2015 if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected.