Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu: People’s Servant Promoter Of Democracy Ideal
Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, the Governor of Niger state, better known as the Chief Servant, is one of the most outspoken governors in this dispensation. And when he speaks, he leaves no one in doubt that he has a full grasp of the topical issue that is of concern to him, Niger state and the country.
As the Chairman Northern Governors' Forum (NGF), Aliyu has become a crusader for more development to be spread in the region so that the people could feel the dividends of democracy. He is always involved in things that could deepen democracy in the North and the country at large; always among the first to speak out against anti-democratic practices in the ruling PDP.
Many Nigerians have been giving him credit for the way the NGF was able to ensure that the zoning arrangement of the PDP was not dumped without a fight. He courageously stood up for due process during the voting by the Northern Governors on whether to jettison zoning or not. At every opportunity before the governors finally took a stand, the Chief Servant eloquently made a case for zoning. And on the day the Northern Governors took decision on zoning, he led by example as the Chairman of NGF by casting the vote of Niger State for zoning, in line with the true desire of the people he represents.
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Governors after their endorsement of zoning, the Chief Servant noted that, "the Forum recognizes the fact that the issue is a PDP affair as contained in Section 7 (2c) of the party's constitution" stressing that "in acknowledging the circumstances of force majure arising from the demise of Late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and subsequent ascendency of President Jonathan to the presidency, the Forum resolves that wider consultations should continue at all party levels within the PDP with all stakeholders across the nation to address the concerns of all in the interest of peaceful co-existence and advancement of democracy in our country."
Aliyu further stated that the issue of zoning and rotational presidency has remained contentious in the nation's recent history. He added: "However, we must remember that as political leaders of this generation Allah (SWT) has now put the responsibility on our shoulders to chart a proper course for the unity, progress and development of our nation.
"To many of us, the issue is not simply the issue of rotation/zoning as is being hyped but rather the issue of integrity, honesty and discipline. It is also an issue of integrity, honesty and discipline."
In those few words, Aliyu reduced the contentious issue of zoning to that of politics of integrity, honesty and discipline. He was drawing attention to the fact that politics of integrity and honesty is in short supply at the moment as president Jonathan,former President Obasanjo, and the former Chairman of Board of Trustee (BOT) of PDP Chief Tony Anenih among others continue to falsely deny the existence of zoning in PDP.
For standing up in defence of zoning, the Chairman of NGF and the governors that voted for it were showered with accolade by Nigerians with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar describing their decision "as a demonstration of uncommon courage and patriotism."
In line with his stand on zoning, the Talban Minna was very conspicuously present at the Eagle Square during the declaration for president by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida. This was very important because the Jonathan camp had embarked on campaign of disinformation against the Chief Servant alleging a fight between him and Babangida, with some media report claiming that he had dumped the former military president for Jonathan.
Many had also been speculating that he decided to dump Babangida, so that Jonathan would not work against his re-election bid in 2011, but the Aliyu that spoke at the Eagle Square was very emphatic where Niger State and he stood with respect to 2011 presidential election.
He said the state which he governs is in support of the presidential bid of Babangida. In a voice that left no one in doubt about his position, he literally screamed; "I want to use this opportunity to dispel all the rumours and wicked gossips I have been reading in the papers that Niger state PDP is not for IBB. There is no truth in that whatsoever, we from Niger state are here today and we are here in solidarity with our leader.'
To the surprise of many, the Niger state governor was also present at the Eagle Square on the day that President Goodluck Jonathan launched his 2011 presidential campaign. However, he was not there to lend his support to a man determined to destroy the zoning arrangement of the PDP, rather he was there to use the opportunity to warn on the dangers ahead if the zoning issue is not settled dispassionately before the election.
When recently President Jonathan tried to bring in his South-West campaign coordinator, Chief Gbenga Daniel, Governor of Ogun State, through the back door as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum, (NGF) Aliyu rose to the challenge and made it clear that Daniel will not be recognized.
In a speech, made at an interactive meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for traditional rulers within the North Central Zone, he said: 'The NGF was not a political forum hence nobody can go out of the normal process of the forum in convening a meeting.
"You cannot use the Forum to favour any presidential aspirant; credible election can be guaranteed only when the process of selecting party's candidate was credible and credible candidates emerged."
Because of the campaign led by Aliyu the governors were able to scuttle Jonathan's plan, thus at the meeting of the governors' Forum aimed at choosing a successor for the incumbent chairman, Governor Bukola Saraki, the Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswam who has been the arrow head of Jonathan's campaign in the North Central stormed out of the meeting in protest, as Jonathan suffers another humiliating defeat. Bukola Saraki retained his position thereby signaling that, with tenacity the defeat of Jonathan at the primaries and the presidential election may not be as difficult as many initially thought.
For leading the Northern Governors' Forum to take a principled stand on zoning despite efforts to make them do otherwise and for his tireless campaign to ensure that the rules and regulations of PDP are adhered to at all times in selection of candidates for the 2011 elections, Chief Servant, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu deserves a place in the honours list of heroes of democracy.
As the Chairman Northern Governors' Forum (NGF), Aliyu has become a crusader for more development to be spread in the region so that the people could feel the dividends of democracy. He is always involved in things that could deepen democracy in the North and the country at large; always among the first to speak out against anti-democratic practices in the ruling PDP.
Many Nigerians have been giving him credit for the way the NGF was able to ensure that the zoning arrangement of the PDP was not dumped without a fight. He courageously stood up for due process during the voting by the Northern Governors on whether to jettison zoning or not. At every opportunity before the governors finally took a stand, the Chief Servant eloquently made a case for zoning. And on the day the Northern Governors took decision on zoning, he led by example as the Chairman of NGF by casting the vote of Niger State for zoning, in line with the true desire of the people he represents.
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Governors after their endorsement of zoning, the Chief Servant noted that, "the Forum recognizes the fact that the issue is a PDP affair as contained in Section 7 (2c) of the party's constitution" stressing that "in acknowledging the circumstances of force majure arising from the demise of Late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and subsequent ascendency of President Jonathan to the presidency, the Forum resolves that wider consultations should continue at all party levels within the PDP with all stakeholders across the nation to address the concerns of all in the interest of peaceful co-existence and advancement of democracy in our country."
Aliyu further stated that the issue of zoning and rotational presidency has remained contentious in the nation's recent history. He added: "However, we must remember that as political leaders of this generation Allah (SWT) has now put the responsibility on our shoulders to chart a proper course for the unity, progress and development of our nation.
"To many of us, the issue is not simply the issue of rotation/zoning as is being hyped but rather the issue of integrity, honesty and discipline. It is also an issue of integrity, honesty and discipline."
In those few words, Aliyu reduced the contentious issue of zoning to that of politics of integrity, honesty and discipline. He was drawing attention to the fact that politics of integrity and honesty is in short supply at the moment as president Jonathan,former President Obasanjo, and the former Chairman of Board of Trustee (BOT) of PDP Chief Tony Anenih among others continue to falsely deny the existence of zoning in PDP.
For standing up in defence of zoning, the Chairman of NGF and the governors that voted for it were showered with accolade by Nigerians with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar describing their decision "as a demonstration of uncommon courage and patriotism."
In line with his stand on zoning, the Talban Minna was very conspicuously present at the Eagle Square during the declaration for president by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida. This was very important because the Jonathan camp had embarked on campaign of disinformation against the Chief Servant alleging a fight between him and Babangida, with some media report claiming that he had dumped the former military president for Jonathan.
Many had also been speculating that he decided to dump Babangida, so that Jonathan would not work against his re-election bid in 2011, but the Aliyu that spoke at the Eagle Square was very emphatic where Niger State and he stood with respect to 2011 presidential election.
He said the state which he governs is in support of the presidential bid of Babangida. In a voice that left no one in doubt about his position, he literally screamed; "I want to use this opportunity to dispel all the rumours and wicked gossips I have been reading in the papers that Niger state PDP is not for IBB. There is no truth in that whatsoever, we from Niger state are here today and we are here in solidarity with our leader.'
To the surprise of many, the Niger state governor was also present at the Eagle Square on the day that President Goodluck Jonathan launched his 2011 presidential campaign. However, he was not there to lend his support to a man determined to destroy the zoning arrangement of the PDP, rather he was there to use the opportunity to warn on the dangers ahead if the zoning issue is not settled dispassionately before the election.
When recently President Jonathan tried to bring in his South-West campaign coordinator, Chief Gbenga Daniel, Governor of Ogun State, through the back door as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum, (NGF) Aliyu rose to the challenge and made it clear that Daniel will not be recognized.
In a speech, made at an interactive meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for traditional rulers within the North Central Zone, he said: 'The NGF was not a political forum hence nobody can go out of the normal process of the forum in convening a meeting.
"You cannot use the Forum to favour any presidential aspirant; credible election can be guaranteed only when the process of selecting party's candidate was credible and credible candidates emerged."
Because of the campaign led by Aliyu the governors were able to scuttle Jonathan's plan, thus at the meeting of the governors' Forum aimed at choosing a successor for the incumbent chairman, Governor Bukola Saraki, the Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswam who has been the arrow head of Jonathan's campaign in the North Central stormed out of the meeting in protest, as Jonathan suffers another humiliating defeat. Bukola Saraki retained his position thereby signaling that, with tenacity the defeat of Jonathan at the primaries and the presidential election may not be as difficult as many initially thought.
For leading the Northern Governors' Forum to take a principled stand on zoning despite efforts to make them do otherwise and for his tireless campaign to ensure that the rules and regulations of PDP are adhered to at all times in selection of candidates for the 2011 elections, Chief Servant, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu deserves a place in the honours list of heroes of democracy.
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