The Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, has alleged that there is a plot to silence him over his recent comment on the 2015 presidential election.
Mr. Aliyu had chastised President Goodluck Jonathan over alleged re-election ambitions of the president saying Mr. Jonathan had promised PDP governors, prior to the 2011 election that he would not contest for a second term in office.
The Niger Governor also indicated that he had an interest in becoming Nigeria’s president, come 2015.
In Wednesday’s statement, Mr. Aliyu’s spokesperson, Danladi Ndayebo, said “some hawks in Abuja have concluded arrangements to print posters with his portrait and a message of 2015: Vote Babangida Aliyu for President”, thereby pitting him against the party which has placed an embargo on campaign for the presidency.
Mr. Ndayebo further alleged that some media houses have been commissioned to write negative reports against Mr. Aliyu as part of a grand design to discredit him and the state government.
“But Gov Aliyu is a law abiding member of the PDP and is very much aware of the party directive to members not to commence campaign for the 2015 presidential election,” the statement said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Aliyu has not declared for the presidency. If anything, he is at the moment focused on delivering on the mandate given to him by the people of Niger State and would not be distracted,” the statement added.
Mr. Aliyu said God is the ultimate decider of who becomes what, and cautioned Nigerians to be wary of persons who may want to discredit others for selfish gains.
Mr. Aliyu also said he remains committed to his present assignment and would not be distracted by any devious plot by mischief makers.
He reiterated his commitment to the ongoing efforts at ‘re-engineering’ Niger State to achieve its vision of becoming one of the top three most developed state economies by the year 2020.
Source: premiumtimesng
