Nigeria Content Online

Governors elected on
the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are to take a stand
soon on the emergence of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, as the
consensus candidate for the northern region to contest against President
Goodluck Jonathan in the party’s primaries.

The Akwa Ibom State
governor, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja at
the weekend. Mr. Abubakar emerged the north’s consensus candidate last
week, after beating three other aspirants in a screening carried out by
the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF).

The governor said that the choice of Mr. Abubakar will brighten Mr. Jonathan’s chances in the primaries.

“The outcome of the
consensus brightens the chances of the Jonathan/Sambo success in 2011. I
do know that in politics we cannot underrate anybody, but one thing is
certain; that President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namani
Sambo are both grounded in the PDP; seriously grounded in the PDP, and
the consensus candidate just thrown up, clearly will find it difficult
to find his feet within the PDP,” Mr. Akpabio said.

He noted that it is
not certain if due process was not followed in granting Mr. Abubakar a
waiver, but that it will become clearer when the aspirants face the
screening panel to be set up by the PDP leadership.

He alleged that the
picture that was shown immediately after the former vice president was
announced as the consensus candidate by the Adamu Ciroma-led committee
was bearing a bundle of broom, which is the logo of the Action Congress
of Nigeria, from where he came from.

The governor said he
is neither for nor against zoning of the presidential slot, but
insisted that peace, unity and progress of the country are paramount,
stressing that the Jonathan/Sambo tickets will offer them.

Mr. Akpabio said
both the president and his deputy have been governors and that this
places them in good stead to fully understand and tackle the
multifarious challenges facing the country.

He described the
incidents of violent crimes, especially kidnapping in Akwa Ibom State,
as unfortunate, and said that his administration will do all within its
power to ensure culprits are made to face the law, irrespective of who
they may be.