Forget 2011, Balarabe tells Jonathan
Written by Ibraheem Musa
Saturday, 08 May 2010 00:00
President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest the 2011 election but should concentrate on the four point agenda he has set for himself when he became acting president, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the second republic governor of Kaduna state, has advised.

The former governor who made this known while condoling the nation and the family of the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua, said that Jonathan will fail if he contests because what Nigerians expect from him is to make the best use of the time he has in order to end Yar’adua’s first term. He also advised Jonathan to be careful of those who are urging him to run for the presidency next year.

According to him, if the president decides to contest the presidency, he will ``mix two things; his own ambition and the need for correction. And mixing the two will definitely lead him to failure.`` The former governor advised that the president should use the remaining period of his term to make a difference.[b][/b]
http://www.weekly.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3127:forget-2011-balarabe-tells-jonathan&catid=41:news&Itemid=30

Forget 2011, Kaita, Others Tell Jonathan
Written by Lawal Sa'idu, Katsina
Saturday, 08 May 2010 00:12

A former governor of Kaduna State and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Muhammadu Lawal Kaita and some prominent politicians who spoke at the late President Yar'Adua's burial, have told President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve any idea of contesting the presidential election in 2011.

Kaita, who spoke with newsmen at the family house of the late president in Katsina, said there was already a gentleman agreement that the North would occupy the presidential slot for a two term of 4 years.

He stressed, "Nigerians are people of honour and we believe that as honourable men, we need to abide by any form of gentlemanly agreement we entered into. The former President Obasanjo had his two terms of four years; therefore, it is proper for the North to have its full slot."

The former governor warned that any attempt by the president to temper with the rotation agreement would be vehemently resisted by the North, adding that if Jonathan makes such attempt, he would be defeated.

Similarly, a former minister from Kebbi State, Dr. Isma'ila Sambawa said that the North should be allowed to complete its term.

In the same vein a spokesman of the Governor Shema Youth Vanguard, Alhaji Sabo Musa, has reiterated the importance of allowing the North to complete its two terms, which he said would further strengthen democracy, peace and fair play in the country.

However, in a swift reaction, ANPP gubernatorial candidate in the 2007 election in Katsina State, Senator Abu Ibrahim, noted that the rotational presidency introduced by the PDP had been the bane of sound democratic governance in the country.

Ibrahim stressed that with time, Nigerians would do away with the rotation idea and embrace credibility, service and merit as a yardstick for choosing who rules the country, saying that the sooner we address anti-democratic practices in the country's political system the better for the country.

http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/news/headlines/14745-forget-2011-kaita-others-tell-jonathan

2011: PDP must respect zoning arrangement – Atiku

By Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja, Published: Saturday, 8 May 2010
View All (137) Comment(s)
click to expand image

Former Vice-President, Atiku A

As controversy continues to trail the Peoples Democratic Party‘s zoning arrangement concerning the 2011 presidential election, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has insisted that the party must respect the zoning formula.

Atiku, who was speaking on the British Broadcasting Corporation ‘Newshour‘ programme, said it was true that the party entered into the arrangement.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo who is also the chairman of the party‘s Board of Trustees had said that he was not aware of such arrangement.

But Atiku in the interview, which was monitored by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday said, ”Well, yes, I am aware of that agreement, I was a party to it; it exists and I expect the party will implement that policy. And if the party decides not to implement it, then it will also have to meet and review it.”

Asked if such arrangement would still allow President Goodluck Jonathan to contest if he was interested in the race, he said no, adding that the arrangement would not allow him.

On whether political upheaval could occur in Nigeria if Jonathan insisted on running, the former vice president said it could cause political instability.

”I know it is bound to cause some political instability and that is what we don‘t want at this point in time, because we want to stabilise our democracy. We want to stabilise our polity so that we can develop,” he added.

He said it would be better if Jonathan could shelve such ambition in the interest of stability, saying that since it was a decision taken by the party, all loyal party members must abide by it.

On his presidential ambition, Atiku said he was not sure if he would be running, adding that he had many things agitating his mind which he said was occupying his mind now.

He said it was after sorting them out that he would be able to decide if he would run or not.

http://punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201005086514035

You meant the core northern politicians and not northerners!
The masses want Jonathan, the thieving politicians don't want him.

Also, remember that the north has been broken in two: Core North and Middle Belt.
Middle beltans would support Jonathan anyday.