Dan Atori, Minna
Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has threatened to deal “democratically and security wise with any individual that receives financial inducement from Abuja with the sole purpose of throwing this state into confusion”.
He said due to the protracted crisis rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), some disgruntled elements in the state have taken advantage of the dispute, especially between President Goodluck Jonathan and the G7 governors “to collect their own share of the nation’s money”.
Aliyu, who gave the threat at the launching of 55 Toyota Hiace Buses for the State Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, in Minna, said despite the development, the state government enjoys the total support of the state chapter of the PDP and the people that are solidly behind the struggle by the governors to reform the party.
“We know that in many struggle or any negotiation, particularly, if it gets protracted, the other interest may come in. We are aware that some disgruntled elements in Niger State are rushing to Abuja to collect money, please, encourage them to go and get their share because we know that the majority of Nigerlites are behind this struggle to reform our party.
“Those who are thinking that they may want to cause confusion in Niger because they have collected some money from Abuja, we are waiting for them, democratically and security wise.”
He pointed the need to adhere to democratic rules by the party leadership and not turn issues concerning it into personal ones, adding that anyone in a position of leadership is there because God wills it.
“And what are we asking for? All we said is let our party be democratic. Nobody should come and turn into a dictator, nobody should turn the party into a personal thing. All we said about election 2015 will come and it will come to pass. and we know that none of us that is in position of what ever, even a messenger or cleaner is put there by God. So, what will be will be.
“If it goes well for the PDP, it goes well for Nigeria, and if PDP is democratic, Nigeria will be democratic. No section of the country should be isolated or intimidated and no leader of any section of the country should feel intimidated.”
Aliyu, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, welcomed the decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute the National Conference Committee.
He urged the people of the North not to be afraid of holding the conference, noting that the meeting will give Nigerians the opportunity to discuss the future of the nation, especially on how to move it forward.
He said: “We should not be afraid to discuss our future, how we came about as a nation, where to move from there. So, please, no matter the nature of the dialogue, we should use the opportunity to ask what type of Nigeria we want.
“So, let us not be afraid, but go confidently to discuss to ensure equity, fairness and justice in our society. We welcome dialogue.”
Director-General of the state SURE-P, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, said the 55 Toyota buses were purchased at the cost of N437 million by the state to enhance the socio-economic lives of those at the grassroots for the 25 local governments of the state through the SURE-Programme.
He explained that the present administration is committed to the improvement of the lives of people as well as changing the face of the state through the various programmes initiated since 2007 to date.
