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The Goodluck/Sambo
Presidential Campaign Organisation, on Thursday, accused the leader of
the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), Adamu Ciroma of playing divisive politics.

The organisation,
in a statement in Abuja last night, said Mr Ciroma, whose group is
demanding the retention of the zoning arrangement of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), said rather than help to build the country, he
is playing up ethnic and regional sentiments that no longer exist.

It added that it
had been reluctant to attack the NPLF leader because of its respect for
him but it would no longer do so because of the divisive role he had
adopted.

Mr Ciroma, a former
finance minister, had during an interview two days ago with Voice of
America (Hausa Service), vowed that the north would frustrate Goodluck
Jonathan’s ambition to succeed himself next year. He insisted that it
was the turn of the north to produce the next president in accordance
with the zoning arrangement of the ruling party.

“The Goodluck/Sambo
Presidential Campaign Organisation has been reluctant to take on Mallam
Adamu Ciroma, as he leads the charge against the legitimate aspiration
of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek his party’s nomination to
contest the 2011 presidential elections,” the organisation’s
spokesperson, Sully Abu, said.

“This reluctance
has derived from our utmost respect for him as an elder statesman, a
party grandee and a man to whom this country has given a lot. The least
the people of Nigeria expect from a man of his status is to help build
the country and help repair any ethnic and sectional fault-lines that
may exist. But alas, Mallam Adamu Ciroma has taken on a rather divisive
role. Insisting that he is speaking for the North he has been playing
the politics of division and in a way which would not edify the
country’s unity.”

Arrogant few

The organisation
said Mr Ciroma’s insistence that the north should produce Mr Jonathan’s
successor flies in the face of overwhelming evidence of the yearning of
all Nigerians including the NPLF leader, to see change in the way the
country is governed and especially in their material condition.

It noted that
“indeed, every available indication is that our people are sick to
death with the divisive politics of yesterday and those who have been
responsible for the country’s underdevelopment and regression. No one
should delude himself that he is speaking for the north or any other
part of the country for that matter unless they are willing to go along
with the people’s yearning for change, fundamental change.”

On the zoning
formula, the organisation argued that going by the circumstances of Mr
Jonathan’s ascension to the Presidency and his ambition, the president
is entitled to contest just as other applicant, adding that any loyal
party man should have the discipline to abide by the decision of the
party.

The campaign outfit
of the president also said that it recognises the last ditch ambition
of some applicants for whom 2011 represents a last chance to fulfil
their dream, stressing that such desperation should not be equated with
the interest of our people.

“It is Almighty God speaking through the people who will determine
the future of Nigeria and President Jonathan and not the arrogant few
who seek to play God,” the organisation said.