100 Northern Politicians Storm Aso Rock, Urge Jonathan to Run

About 100 politicians representing the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja yesterday night visited Aso Rock. Their mission? To persuade President Goodluck Jonathan to contest in next year’s presidential election.

The group led by Alhaji Hassan Adamu, Wakilin Adamawa arrived the Presidential Villa at about 10pm and were received by President Jonathan.

A source close to the meeting told THISDAY that the deliberation between the President and the Northern politicians who are said to represent the geo-political section of the country which is referred to as the G-20 extended till midnight.

Prof. Jerry Gana was mandated to present the position of the group to the President before spokesmen representing each of the states were mandated to introduce representatives and present the position of their respective states.

Gana, a former information minister under the Obasanjo administration, said the group came to urge the President to contest in the next presidential election as they are sure his candidacy will unite the country and lead her to realise her manifest destiny as a world leader.

The Professor said the people of the North were solidly behind the President based on his ability to deliver on the programmes contained in the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the age-long political relationship between the North and the South-south regions.

He added that all indications show that “President Jonathan will receive overwhelming votes from across the country and that we look forward to your swearing-in ceremony on May 29, 2011.”

Adamu who is the leader of the group further said: “We know what we want. We have come here to call you to come out. After 50 years, Nigeria must move forward. We believe in unity and progress of the country, no matter where a person comes from. It is God that brought you and God does not make mistake. The road will be tough and rough but we will succeed.”

In his own speech, Shagari said the call on Jonathan to contest the presidency by a group of top Northern politicians was in fulfilment of the wishes of the founding fathers of Northern politics.

He said: “It was Sardauna and Tafawa Balewa that sat down and said the North should develop a deliberate relationship with the South-south zone. What Sardauna and Tafawa Balewa put together, let no one put asunder.”