Those who think Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State is no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are daydreaming.
To the two-term governor, if Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, a Christian and Southerner, is campaigning for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim and Northerner, then, he (Lamido), a Northerner and Muslim, can do same for the presidential candidate of his party, President Goodluck Jonathan, a Southerner and Christian.
Lamido declared this at a PDP governorship campaign rally in Kaugama, Kaugama Local Government Area of the state.
The governor spoke against insinuations that he would ditch PDP for the APC, following his meeting with Amaechi.
Lamido stressed that he was a PDP member and would intensify campaign for the re-election of Jonathan and other candidates of the party.
He said he had cautioned Amaechi on the dangers associated with smear campaigns among politicians, which was inimical to the growth of democratic governance in the country.
“If Amaechi, a Southerner and a Christian is campaigning for General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC; I do not see any wrong for me, a Northerner and Muslim to campaign for President Jonathan.
“Leadership comes from God. And in His divine wisdom made people of northern and southern extraction to live in one land, our dear country, Nigeria.
“We are one and we should not allow some disgruntled elements using politics, religion and ethnicity to cause disaffection among our people.
“Ignore what they are saying; it is frivolous and cheap lies to deceive voters.
“They said I do not care for the North and called me a pastor, but it does not bother me,” Lamido said.
He said the founding fathers had fought for the nation’s independence, irrespective of creed or religious affiliations. And, therefore, Nigerians should unite for peace and progress of the country.
The governor advised the electorate to vote for credible and patriotic leaders, who would render selfless service and move the country forward.
“You should not be deceived by the smear campaigns. Vote for credible people, those who respect human rights, ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
“I advise you to vote wisely,” he said, adding that the PDP led-administration had brought positive development in the country in the last 16 years.
Also speaking, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, pledged to consolidate on the feat achieved by Lamido’s administration.