Prominent elders from the north under the auspices of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) may have decided to vehemently oppose President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. The leaders, according to sources are set to condemn the emergence of the president as the sole candidate of his party, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ACF has been in the fore front of the agitation for power to return to the North following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010. But following signs that the ruling party may have resolved to endorse Jonathan for a second term, there was a big lull in the agitation of the group.
But, at the weekend, according to reliable sources, indications emerged the apex socio cultural organization in the north and the mouth piece of northerners may be set to renew its clamour for power to return to the zone in 2015, in spite of reported clandestine efforts by the presidency to gag its leaders ahead of the next general election.
The Nation learnt that at a meeting of the group’s stakeholders in Kaduna during the week, majority of those present, mainly prominent leaders of ACF from 19 states, supported a motion seeking for the Forum to be categorical in its rejection of plans by Jonathan to remain in office beyond 2015. However, there was a minority opinion that declined to support any decision to prevent Jonathan from contesting the presidency since the issue of zoning or rotational presidency is not entrenched in the Nigerian constitution, rather it is a party affair.
According to sources at the ACF meeting, prominent personalities serving under Jonathan’s administration are to be given ultimatum to withdraw from the government if the decision that the region should oppose Jonathan’s candidacy as a bloc is approved by the General Assembly of the forum billed to hold soon.
The ACF source said that “it is the view of the majority of our leaders that it is time for the north to take its destiny in its own hand and reject a brazen attempt by the President and his party to put wool over our eyes. If Jonathan thinks that he has changed the rules overnight and he is set to trick all of us into allowing him remain in office beyond 2015, we are watching how he will do it. northerners are ready to surprise him.
“Although it was resolved that all the recommendations made at the stakeholders’ meeting will be subjected to the ratification of the general assembly of the ACF billed, it is our position as leaders of the three zones in the north that power must return to the north in 2015.
“To actualise this, a position has been taken that we must oppose Jonathan’s re-election bid openly and as a region, north as individuals. That is why we want the forum to champion this renewed agitation for power shift. We are not against Jonathan, we just want power back in the north come 2015.”
Signs that the north may still have some iron to grind with the President emerged few weeks back when prominent northern elders told Jonathan to forfeit 2015 unless he produces the missing Chibok girls.
“In the light of our firm conviction that the insurgency and related security challenges pose threats to the 2015 elections and the survival of our nation, we strongly advise President Jonathan to bring an end to the insurgency in all its manifestations and produce the Chibok girls before the end of October, 2014.
“The circumstances under which our fellow citizens in and around Gwoza in Borno state in particular live and die will not be tolerated by any people who have a government and a leader sworn to defend them, and they must be reversed immediately. In the event that President Jonathan fails to do this, Nigerians will be left with the only conclusion that he has forfeited his right to ask for our mandate beyond 2015.”
Solomon Dalung and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), signed the statement.
Efforts to get officials of the ACF to comment on the development proved abortive as they could not be reached by the time of filing this report. However, a state official of the body in Benue State who craved anonymity said nobody is to comment on the decision until it is put before the general assembly next week.
But while speaking to pressmen recently, the Chairman of the pan-northern socio-political organisation, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, said the north is still very hopeful that power will return to the region in 2015.
The ACF chairman pointed out that despite the fact that the North appears to be speaking with different voices, power may return to the zone.
“The North has always appeared to be in disarray but it is not. When the time comes, things will sort themselves out and the correct thing will be done. Democracy allows people to express their views but, eventually, the majority will carry the day,” Coomassie said.
He added: “If people want real change, they can always put their heads together. If we present a credible candidate and there is honest, credible and transparent election, the North can still win.”
“But the important thing is that people should be allowed to cast their votes and let their votes count. There should be no changing results to favour another candidate, let officials allow voting to take place as is done in civilized countries. If it is done, then we know the results will be credible and acceptable.”
