Northern Elements Push Danjuma for VP
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Taiwo Olawale in Lagos, 02.18.2010

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Political elements in the North have continued to map out strategies to ensure that the region is not shortchanged in the event that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan becomes the substantive President.

A group of Northern intellectuals and professionals met in Abuja yesterday and resolved to push the candidacy of General T.Y. Danjuma as Vice-President to Jonathan should the Acting President become substantive President.
Northern elements are said to have canvassed that the region is entitled to eight years just like the South, which had done eight years under President Olusegun Obasanjo, and as such, if President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua cannot continue in office on account of his ill-health, the North should have its remaining one term by 2011.

Danjuma was Chief of Army Staff under the Murtala/ Obasanjo regime and was also Minister of Defence from 1999 till about 2002 during Obasanjo’s civilian administration.
Those in attendance at the meeting held at a secret location in Abuja, included Ahmed Joda, Mamman Daura, Adamu Fika, Mahmud Tukur, Abba Kyari, Mohammed Haruna, Adamu Adamu, Nuhu Sani Zango, Rufai Jumar Jose and Wada Maida.
None of those who attended the meeting was ready to speak on record about the meeting.

THISDAY learnt that key among the reasons they adduced for putting forward Danjuma are the fact that he seems to be a non-ambitious politician and not interested in 2011 and as such can help to guarantee a level playing field in the 2011 election.
They also said as a retired General who enjoys tremendous respect in the military, Danjuma can help stabilise the army and ward off military intervention in politics.

The issue of Christian/ Christian pairing, Jonathan and Danjuma being Christians, came up at the meeting but the issue was dismissed as some of those in attendance counter argued with the cases of Yakubu Gowon/ Joseph Akinwale Wey who were both Christians, Muhammadu Buhari/ Tunde Idiagbon who were both Muslims and also MKO Abiola/Babagana Kingibe who were also both Muslims.

“The North cannot afford to be short-changed in the scheme of things in the build-up to 2011. We feel that there is a need to have a Northerner who is not ambitious and has a strong personality to help in steering the ship of the state in the event that Jonathan becomes substantive president,” said one of the Northern intellectuals.
THISDAY also learnt that the intellectuals and professionals are already in discussion with Danjuma. It is not certain if they discussed the health and fitness of Danjuma to take on such a rigorous role.

Ahmed Joda
One of the former super permanent secretaries, Joda is a seasoned technocrat and boardroom guru. Now in his 80s, his contributions to public discourse are often seen as insightful and mature.


Mamman Daura

Daura, ex-Editor and former Managing Director of the New Nigerian Newspapers, has played prominent roles in Nigeria’s political development by serving on critical national committees.
Adamu Fika
The Wazirin Fika rose to the pinnacle of public service when he became the Head of Service (HoS) during the Babangida era. He is a passionate defender of Northern interests.

Mahmud Tukur
Tukur, a former Minister, was the first Principal (later becoming Vice-Chancellor) of the then Bayero University College (now Bayero University, Kano). He is generally seen as one of the most vocal policy advocates in Northern Nigeria.

Abba Kyari
Though he served as MD of UBA only for a brief period, most people still remember this boardroom player fondly. He is currently on the board of several blue chip companies.

Mohammed Haruna
Haruna is one of the most widely read columnists in the country. His opinions are often used as reference points in public discourse whether one is on his side or not.

Adamu Adamu
Also a popular columnist from the North, Adamu is an unabashed defender of Northern interests.

Wada Maida
Maida served as Chief Press Secretary to a former Head of State in the 80s before going on to become MD of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Though his voice is rarely heard, his contributions to national discourse are often measured and deep.




http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=166770

THISDAY learnt that key among the reasons they adduced for putting forward Danjuma are the fact that he seems to be a non-ambitious politician and not interested in 2011 and as such can help to guarantee a level playing field in the 2011 election.
They also said as a retired General who enjoys tremendous respect in the military, Danjuma can help stabilise the army and ward off military intervention in politics.

The issue of Christian/ Christian pairing, Jonathan and Danjuma being Christians, came up at the meeting but the issue was dismissed as some of those in attendance counter argued with the cases of Yakubu Gowon/ Joseph Akinwale Wey who were both Christians, Muhammadu Buhari/ Tunde Idiagbon who were both Muslims and also MKO Abiola/Babagana Kingibe who were also both Muslims

Danjuma is not an hausa man so will be rejected by Yaradua followers unless pushed to the wall. But God forbid for person like him to become VP

hold it ,hold it!!! where is our light,where is our roads, where are our industries? Please spare us. can this old people go back to the farm to retire peacefully.Okay all this people mentioned, what have they done to the north or contributed to the north outside corruption?can they please go queitly as we need people from today and the future not those who have wasted there chance more than twice to fix same problem.TY danjuma not an option.please help us northern elite vote someone that will deliver.TY Danjuma may not be too loyal as you can ask Obj?About religion? now we need quality leadership more than human personal profile.
Abeg help us.
lastly what is it they asked him to deliver?i mean to the region and Naija!did he say yes i can and did he suggest ways to do that.if all is no, then please look for another person.We all know he is a quiet big corrupt leader of northern extract.where did he get alot of investment more than his salary can carry?the Oil blocks and co?How many lives has he touched?about keeping the military in check,if he can keep it in check?please it is the will of the people that keeps the military in check not him.Soldier no be person?it is time we identify corrupt people and shame them so that there money cannot buy them friends.they should start to see that it is about service and touching lifes.Obj and TY na paddy paddy.it all seems like he is trying to get one of his boys back on track.
Goodluck focus and work.the VP no be your priority now.na light,road,security and money for people pocket.

danjuma that is busy looking or how to spend his $500 million that is drilling a hole in his pocket?
The man has better things to do than this VP thing, i beg.

Why are our elders in Nigeria against the young generation?

Imagine an old man being planned for VP. We all know what happened about Yar'Adua. In the beginning, Yar'Adua was a sick man. Why did we get a sick man as president? Greed and selfishness.

Now, TY Danjuma is being paraded as VP. He is a retired army general. Why are people wanting him back? Greed and selfishness.

We need the young generation to save Nigeria. The young generation will surely do better.

Leadership elders in Nigeria are greedy and selfish.

Did we expect any good thing or idea to come from the north?

War bootie! Thats what they are still sharing.same ol' generation still running naija.change is so hard but shall surely come.

@Kx
yes alot of good will come out of the North.your own region or place also has alot of bad things in it.good or bad all reside in naija.so maybe you want to keep that away.

Advice Goodluck, becarefull! cos if i was you, a VP you can control will be alot better and a military that respect your seat,not respect your vice.Obj and Atiku na similar case until.you can't have a rival in power take it or leave it is a requirement to keep things your own way especially if you have good plans.

haka_nai:

hold it ,hold it!!! where is our light,where is our roads, where are our industries? Please spare us. can this old people go back to the farm to retire peacefully.Okay all this people mentioned, what have they done to the north or contributed to the north outside corruption?can they please go queitly as we need people from today and the future not those who have wasted there chance more than twice to fix same problem.TY danjuma not an option.please help us northern elite vote someone that will deliver.TY Danjuma may not be too loyal as you can ask Obj?About religion? now we need quality leadership more than human personal profile.
Abeg help us.
lastly what is it they asked him to deliver?i mean to the region and Naija!did he say yes i can and did he suggest ways to do that.if all is not then please look for another person.We all know he is a quiet big corrupt leader of northern extract.why he is got alot of investment more than his salary can carry.Oil blocks and co.How many lives has he touched.about keeping the military in check.if he keeps it in check,please it is the will of the people that keeps the military in check not him.Soldier no be person.it is time we identify corrupt people and shame them so that there money cannot buy them friends.that they should start to see that it is about service and touching lifes.Obj and TY na paddy paddy.it all seems like he is trying to get one his boys back on track.
Goodluck focus and work.the VP no be your priority now.na light,road,security and money for people pocket.

gaskiya ta fi kwabo.  haka_nai, you've spoken the truth. These old men have done enough damage to Nigeria and to Northern Nigeria in particular.  I believe they still don't understand that their game is up - thanks to devine intervention.

If these old fools that have done nothing for the North other than robbing the region blind, looting without investing the loot in sustainable businesses or industries in the North, killing the textile industry in the North,  failing to invest  one  kobo in the vast mineral resources in the North, why in the world would anyone want them to become President?  This is nothing short of insanity and must be opposed by the masses.

All we ask for is result and vision!!!!! not secret meetings.nothing is close door about naija only that shameless people feel it is closed.we see and know about your plans.no close door - FOI bill please make haste.They know they can't take the heat if they talk to the masses.

I really hope to wake up one day and learnt that this Zonal presidency is just a joke.

nigeria need not go back to the stone age. the candidacy of danjuma and his likes is only going to take the nation backward.

any well meaning nigerian shuld see this as a step backward and shuld be rejected.