Anti-Jonathan Protest Claims One In Bauchi

•Group Condemns Zoning At Kaduna Summit •Insist On Credible Polls, Buhari Tells CAN

By Sukuji Bakoji, Baba Negedu (Kaduna) and Patience Ogbodo (Bauchi)



Vice President Namadi Sambo (left); Governors Ali Modu Sherif (Borno), Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna); and Senator Isaiah Balat; at a dinner hosted by Sambo at Aguda House, Abuja , on Monday night.

BAUCHI returned to its violent ways on Tuesday, this time not over religion, but in agitation against Goodluck Jonathan’s run for President, even as the man has yet to declare his hand.

One person died, six were injured, and police detained dozens after a rally organised by the Bauchi State chapter of the Arewa Youth Development Foundation (AYDF) went bananas.

Those injured are receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.

The AYDF vowed to continue to fight plans by selfish Northern politicians backing Jonathan for the Villa next year.

Aliyu Haruna, 26, met his death when the bus he and others were traveling on somersaulted at Tinna Chemist Junction following alleged shooting of one of the tyres by policemen trying to disperse the crowd.

But Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Barau, denied the claim.

The AYDF originally planned a peaceful demonstration at IBB Square before moving to Government House to present a letter of protest to Governor Isa Yuguda.

Armed mobile policemen prevented the demonstrators from entering the venue.

Barau confirmed that “Yes they applied for permission to hold a rally, but on two occasions it was postponed due to other national engagements.

“A few days to (Sunday) they notified the police of the rally and asked for police protection which was given to them. That is all I know so it is not true that police shot at anybody.”

State AYDF Chairman, Aliyu Ladan, said they organised the rally to counter the one staged by the pro-Jonathan group on June 30 “which did not capture the interest of the people but instead interest of some irrelevant, self centered, and disgruntled politicians seeking relevance in the national political structure.”

He said the protesters wanted to present to Yuguda their position on the zoning of the Presidency for onward transmission to the next meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum.

Ladan explained that the group headed by former Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lar, was founded by members of Jonathan’s cabal, led by Edwin Clark, to bolster the divide and rule tactics adopted by the Northern elite.

“With the recent outburst of the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Okwesilieze Nwodo, regarding the unconstitutionality of zoning, it is clear that the probing of Vincent Ogbulafor by the anti-corruption agency is not aimed at fighting corruption but to end the zoning agreement.

“If Jonathan regards zoning as unconstitutional why didn’t he choose his Vice President from either the South East or South West?” Ladan queried.

In any case, former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, who also wants to be President, has enjoined the new leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to insist on conducting credible elections in 2011.

He urged the CAN to educate its followers to elect credible leaders at all levels and to ensure that their votes count.

Besides, Buhari called on the CAN to ensure the unity of the Church as well as cordial relationship between Christians and Muslims.

He bared his mind in a letter of congratulations he wrote to the new CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor, who was elected last month.

“No doubt, this victory is a testimony of your past contribution as the leader of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN,” the letter said.

“I hope that in your new position, your wealth of experience will be used to promote peace and understanding not only between churches but more importantly between Christians and Muslims in the country.

“In Nigeria we expect no less from you, especially the demand for free and fair election; Nigerians of all faiths recall with gratitude the great contributions made by the Catholic Secretariat in exposing the sham elections of 2003 and 2007.

“I hope you will use your good office to insist that the authorities concerned conduct credible elections, as well as educating your followers to elect credible leaders at all levels, and to ensure that their votes count.”

Buhari urged Oritsejafor to emulate his predecessor and the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, who did “creditably well.”

In another development, stakeholders at the Northern States’ Conference (NSC) have demanded the abolition of zoning describing it as the “old tactics of subjugating Northern people.”

They want the jettisoning of all regional political gimmicks to ensure the election of competent and quality people, irrespective of geopolitical consideration.

The position of the NSC, which contradicts that of the Northern Political Elders Forum (NPEF), was stated in a communiqué at the end of a summit on good governance organised in Kaduna by Community Renaissance Co-Existence, Re-Orientation Initiative (CRCRI).

The communiqué, signed by I. A. Ahmad, enjoined Nigerians to form alliances and secure a democratic environment devoid of rancor, pettiness, and to develop new plans for the restoration of political prestige and values.

It noted “the achievement of (Jonathan) within the short period of his leadership should not only be acknowledged but must be encouraged further in order to perpetuate the present wave of national development and attaining the success of Vision 2020.”

Abagworo:

BAUCHI returned to its violent ways on Tuesday, this time not over religion, but in agitation against Goodluck Jonathan’s run for President, even as the man has yet to declare his hand.

My people are perishing because they lack wisdom. Why can't you wait for him to declare himself? Why can't you guys wait for your turn after several years in power? Why can't you apply common sense? Any way, common sense is not common.

I feel sorry for Nigeria.

THESE northerners never cease to amaze me,

every small thing, na casualty,

More ethnic violence to come until we learn to accept that nigeria is a mult-ethnic country,only a workable succession plan would make things easier for us.Rotational presidency is the only thing that can keep nigeria in unity and reduce ethnic distrust.

Some northerners are just busy doing noting. What does the north benefit from a northern president and which they would not benefit from a president from another region of the country.

Lol @ these moronic desert rats and their predictable madness. If they want Jonathan all they have to do is not for him. If they have the numeric strength like they always claim to have they need not worry about Jonathan's intention to run or not. I guess they've realized that under a free and fair election their sheep, goats, and cows won't be allowed to cast votes. This is just the usual almajiri form of intimidation tactic but times have changed and the number if Bluetooths we have bending over and sucking Hausa-fulani testicles are lomg gone. These blood thirsty urchins are losing their stranglehold power hence they are desperate.

stop talking like this, let us not paticipate in violence but stop ibb, think how to live up to what Gaddaffi said.

God Almighty please if it is your will for us to be one,let your will b done nd let there b peace. But if not PLEEEEEASE SEPARATE US FROM THESE DEMONIC,SATANIC, ECONOMIC PARASITIC, NON PROGRESSIVE,RETROGRESSIVES,DRAW BACKS,CURSED hAUSA-fULANIs, they have been in charge for about 40yrs and all we got is rot.

Posted by: Rexxie
Insert Quote
God Almighty please if it is your will for us to be one,let your will b done nd let there b peace. But if not PL[b]EEEEEASE SEPARATE US FROM THESE DEMONIC,SATANIC, ECONOMIC PARASITIC, NON PROGRESSIVE,RETROGRESSIVES,DRAW BACKS,CURSED hAUSA-fULANIs[/b], they have been in charge for about 40yrs and all we got is rot.

As far as d presidency in concerned,it is the birth right of both d hausa and d yorubas. . .as bluetooth said,succession is d solution 2 all these. . .sick country

Ok, ok and ok. I get it now!

Southerners, can we please organise anti IBB, Buhari,Atiku, etc protest asap?

This is hilarious, anti and pro Jonathan protests? At last, I am beginning to see something as relaxing as "Tom & Jerry"

I will keep saying it, Nigeria is not one, Nigeria was never one and Nigeria is not ever likely to be one.

This is the time for a Sovereign National Conference: let us decide whether Nigeria must remain one and it if it must, how will it exist as one.

On other hand, let us continue to flog a dead horse, and that in vain.

When a group chooses to fight GOODLUCK, it inevitably embraces BADLUCK.

^^^^^^^^

well said, catchy phrase