[size=14pt]Northern group plans protest against IBB, Atiku, Buhari[/size]
Headlines Aug 19, 2010 Share | By Emeka Mamah

KADUNA— THE decision of former President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest the 2011 presidential election is not enjoying the full backing of the North as a northern based group, Arewa Progressive Union, APU, is said to be mobilising the entire North against these leaders who they described as ‘expired leaders’.

So far, four presidential aspirants have emerged from the North. They include Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Sekarau.

Vanguard, however, learnt that some Northern leaders and young elements were reported not to be comfortable with any of them and have, therefore, embarked on a search for a credible northern candidate to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan should he decide to contest the presidential election.

Last Thursday, some northern leaders, including senators and members of the House of Representatives held secret meetings where some aggrieved leaders decided to form a new power bloc in the party, known as the ‘Redemption Group’ to redeem the image of the North.

In what appeared to be a follow up to these meetings, Arewa Progressive Union, APU, held its meeting in Kaduna, yesterday, where it declared that it would soon organize “series of protest marches across the 19 states in the North” to register its protest against the decision of former President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest the 2011 presidential election.”

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting in Kaduna and signed by APU National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Inuwa Abdulkadir, also criticized what the group described as unbridled ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan and urged that “Nigerians must be cautious because Jonathan’s desperation and ambition will soon set this country ablaze.”

APU added that the planned protest was part of activities to mark its15th anniversary which would be rounded off with a grand rally in Abuja, “where we are going to mobilize the entire North against these expired leaders who have continued to drag us backwards.”

The communiqué explained that special prayers would be held in churches and mosques across the northern states on Friday and Sunday, “to seek the intervention of the Almighty God to deliver us from some of our leaders who want to continue to enslave us.”

It stated: “The Arewa Progressive Union has watched with keen interest political developments in the country within the past few weeks and hereby urges the entire good people of the North and indeed all Nigerians to ignore the laughable desire of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest the 2011 presidential election.

“It is quite unfortunate that these people who are no longer current with modern developmental and leadership trends in the world still believe that they can stampede the people into supporting them either collectively or individually in the quest to return to power.

“After several years of northern leadership of Nigeria, the North does not have anything to show for it except that the individuals concerned and their families and friends continue to flaunt their ill-gotten wealth.

“The North today is the most backward section of Nigeria with destitution, crass poverty, illiteracy, hunger and disease on rampage everywhere, destroying the people on daily basis. We find it amazing that these northern grandfathers do not find it worthwhile to prepare the younger generation of northerners to succeed them, instead they want to cling onto power forever and this goes to expose their high level of self-centeredness.

“The Arewa Progressive Union will not fold its arms and watch these people destroy the North. We have resolved to organize protest matches simultaneously in all the northern capital cities, as part of measures to sensitize our people that they should not be deceived again.

“The national rally and public lecture slated for Abuja is going to be all-embracing as it will also involve other sections of Nigeria. We want to chart a fresh way forward for our fatherland which has been plundered by a few citizens over these several years.

“The Arewa Progressive Union also wishes to note that the current scheming of President Goodluck Jonathan to retain power by all means will not do the country any good.

“The President should not in any way overstretch his legendary good luck otherwise his unbridled ambition is likely to set this country ablaze in the not too distant future.”

“Although the APU is not a partisan organization, but we are conversant with all the arguments concerning the issue of zoning and presidential power rotation in the country and hereby warn politicians to be wary of any actions that will jeopardize the unity of Nigeria.

“In as much as we shall remain non-partisan, we shall not hesitate to intervene when it becomes absolutely necessary and mobilize the ordinary people against the selfish desires of some people.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/08/19/northern-group-plans-protest-against-ibb-atiku-buhari/

Are they just realizing it?

Osama10:

Are they just realizing it?

This group looks more like they are ready to "negotiate" with the highest bidder. Otherwise, why start so late (as you pointed out), why condemn all players on all sides and why threaten mayhem?

Aside from that, the North is waking up at last to what the rest of the country has been seeing for ages. The benefit is that we will now begin to see the loosening of the grip of ex-generals on our political landscape. Buhari and IBB are the last and it seems, they are going nowhere; but we must not be complacent in ensuring that these two dinosaurs leave the scene for younger blood and fresher ideas.

The future of the North lies in the hands of men like Ribadu and El-Rufai.

I think when talking about the future of the north, the options available to the north goes beyond Nasir El-Rufai, and Nuhu Ribadu. I think the list would also include Bukola Saraki, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Danjuma Goje, Isa Yuguda, and Gabriel Suswam. I have detected a divide between the younger generation of northern politicians roughly represented by the Northern Governors Forum, and the older generation represented by the Arewa Consultative Forum. In recent times, these two groups have not necessarily been on the same page. I seem to detect that the younger generation of political leaders seem to be chafing under the leadership of the older generation, and they are showing a desire to forge their own path. The truth is that if the younger generations continue to follow the dictates of the older generation they may soon find themselves totally irrelevant. The following articles may be somewhat instructive.

Guardian: SEARCH BEGINS FOR “NEW ODER” IN THE NORTH
Nigerian Compass: 2011 PRESIDENCY: SARAKI, GOJE, SUSWAM, YUGUDA DIVIDE NORTH

wise son:

I think when talking about the future of the north, the options available to the north goes beyond Nasir El-Rufai, and Nuhu Ribadu. I think the list would also include Bukola Saraki, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Danjuma Goje, Isa Yuguda, and Gabriel Suswam. I have detected a divide between the younger generation of northern politicians roughly represented by the Northern Governors Forum, and the older generation represented by the Arewa Consultative Forum. In recent times, these two groups have not necessarily been on the same page. I seem to detect that the younger generation of political leaders seem to be chafing under the leadership of the older generation, and they are showing a desire to forge their own path. The truth is that if the younger generations continue to follow the dictates of the older generation they may soon find themselves totally irrelevant. The following articles may be somewhat instructive.

Guardian: SEARCH BEGINS FOR “NEW ODER” IN THE NORTH
Nigerian Compass: 2011 PRESIDENCY: SARAKI, GOJE, SUSWAM, YUGUDA DIVIDE NORTH

Most of those you have mentioned now regard themselves as Middle Belt or North Central. The word unqualified description, "North" no longer counts for Bukola Saraki, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Danjuma Goje, Isa Yuguda, and Gabriel Suswam.

Aside from Gabriel Suswam, the all the men mentioned seem to have positioned themselves on the wrong side of the fence.
For Bukola Saraki, he is not seen as being Northern enough, even though he has pitched his tent in that region. To compound his situation, his people are clamouring for state creation that will see them as South Westerners. Saraki, is most likely going to be swept away by the tides of time.

Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu is a very decent man and one who could be a true leader. His only stain so far (in the context of this article), is support for the discredited IBB. he is likely to identify more with the Middle Belt than the far North in future politics.

I have little to say about Danjuma Goje. Like El-Rufai and Ribadu, he is 100% leadership material. He has chances both in the North and in the Middle Belt. Its his to choose.

I also have little to say about Isa Yuguda, he is a confirmed political ashewo, who is facing the abyss of irrelevance.

Gabriel Suswam is a future kingmaker in the new North Central (Middle Belt) region. He will lead hiis people in their struggle for autonomy from the far North. he has a bright future.

Yes o. Please chase them away. They are not Y2K Compliant. Moreover, they don't have NAFDAC Number. They are indeed expired drugs leaders, not fit for the NEW realities.

jamace:

Yes o. Please chase them away. They are not Y2K Compliant. Moreover, they don't have NAFDAC Number. They are indeed expired drugs leaders, not fit for the NEW realities.

Spent