PROMINENT traditional rulers and notable retired military officers from the Northern part of the country have thrown their weight behind the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over what they perceived as the unsalutary manner the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is insisting Atiku must force the national chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to resign. 

The eminent northern leaders have also resolved to adopt a campaign slogan of “Alhaji Atiku, namu namu ne” meaning – Alhaji Atiku is our own, as their slogan. An impeccable source, who held a prominent position in the administration of the former head of state, General Ibrahim Babaginda but would want to remain anonymous disclosed that the eminent leaders have also reached out to PDP leaders not to dance to the tune of those clamouring for the suspension of the River state governor, saying doing so will give him more opportunity- “to demonstrate his political arrogance.” 

The source speaking on behalf of the eminent northerners said: “Instead, the party should tactically continue to appeal to and woo him to their side, but if he remains adamant, he would be seen as a desperate politician.” 

The source described as a big advantage the coming of former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, representing Kano Central senatorial district to the PDP. 

According to him, “With Senator Shekarau now in the party, it will be an advantage for the PDP to get the bulk of votes that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu and his counterpart in the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, might secure in Kano and the North-West. 

He also hinted that now that no fewer than five states in the South-West have dissociated themselves from the ‘Ayu must go’ syndrome, it is clear that only Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is with the River’s State governor, a situation, he said, is dangerous to Makinde’s second term ambition. 

The leaders, however, cautioned those in the camp of Wike, especially those seeking re-election to watch out.

Godjone:
They should keep backing that na their business. Myself and my brothers and sisters in the middle belt are voting Obi come next year

ArewaNorth:


Speak for yourself. States of Nigeria which are generally referred to as belonging to the Middle Belt are: old Plateau (now Plateau and Nasarawa), old Gongola (now Adamawa and Taraba), Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, alongside Southern Kaduna, Southern Bauchi, Southern Kebbi, Southern Gombe, Southern Yobe State.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Belt

fiizznation:
Politics is a game. There is no possible way Atiku will let Ayu go. Ayu is the only strong personality in the NC and the PDP believes the man can deliver his region to them. What will Wike give Atiku? How many states can Wike deliver for Atiku in the south?

Politicians make their calculations very well. Even if heaven will fall, Atiku will never sacrifice Ayu for Wike. The PDP calculation and strategy is to secure the majority votes in the North and get the necessary percentage from the South.

Mrfixitt:
Atiku is pathological thief like Tinubu and both must not near Aso villa. Perter is out next president

hisgrace090:
As shaky shaky igbo leaders denied theirs.

Jostoman:


Why didn't you call Atiku thief when he pick Peter Obi as his running mate in 2019 even when some people are not happy with his choice that time but he stood his ground that it is Peter Obi or nothing. Let's mind our words against Atiku and stop de marketing Peter Obi in the north.

sonature1:


I have yet to understand the import of the emboldened.

drlateef:
Obi, see your life for outside? They are not even talking about you in the north. Which is not surprising to me.

drlateef:
Obi, see your life for outside? They are not even talking about you in the north. Which is not surprising to me.

The eminent northern leaders have also resolved to adopt a campaign slogan of “Alhaji Atiku, namu namu ne” meaning – Alhaji Atiku is our own, as their slogan.

anigbajumo:



Lol, you are not a good political analyst. Let me ask u these simple questions.

How many people Ayu can influence as party chairman, judge him by previous election?? Wat was the election results in benue in 2019 and that of Rivers…who bring more votes to the table and moreover Ortom was the one that set the merchinery in motion for ATIKU coz Ayu’s was not known.

How can u compare a sitting Governor that has more than 5 Governors in his bag to a non known individual that was put there by Wike himself ??

Weather u like it or not, Ayu can’t be compared to Wike in terms of electoral value…Wike said he brought him from gutter to made him party chairman and he never denied that till this present moment. A divided house cannot win an election, Atiku should ask Jonah after 2015 general election despite the fact that Jonah was an incumbent Yet he still lost woefully.

Jostoman:
let's continue to market Peter Obi and stop insulting Atiku.