[size=16pt]Consensus: IBB accepts Atiku’s candidacy[/size]

By NDUBUISI ORJI
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Former Military President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday said he accepted the choice of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar , as the North’s candidate for the PDP presidential primary.

This was contained in a statement issued by the IBB Presidential Campaign Organization, signed by the Director-General, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and made available to Daily Sun in Lagos.
Babangida said the outcome of the consensus candidacy which was spearheaded by former Finance Minister, Adamu Ciroma, and other Northern leaders must be applauded for the foresight and rigour of the search. According to him, the Ciroma committee must be appreciated for its principled commitment to the advancement of democracy in country.

“The outcome of the consensus exercise which the Adamu Ciroma Committee selflessly imposed upon itself in the past two months must be loudly applauded for the rigour of their search, conduct, and foresight. The machinery of success which they inaugurated previously has become further strengthened and deeply rooted. It shall be well with the Consensus outcome, and it shall manifestly be well for all Nigerians.”

“The Committee inaugurated a process to tackle a challenge the result of which will outlive the politically induced crisis which called the committee into existence. The outcome of the consensus exercise has truly humbled all the presidential aspirants. We once again, thank everyone of the membership of this committee. We all know the gravity of what the aspirants have done. We know that in doing what they have done, this great nation and all Nigerians shall manifestly be served. They did not submit themselves to this exercise so as to fail, far from it.”

“The exercise to search for, find and approve a Consensus Candidate from among the Presidential aspirants in the constitutional zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must go down in the annals of this great nation as historic and uniquely interesting. Founded upon a principled commitment for the public good, justice, equity and fairness in the pursuit of good governance and party politics, the ‘Committee of Wise Men’ under the leadership of Alhaji Adamu Ciroma must be appreciated for its patriotism and the advancement of the frontiers of democracy and of politics with conscience,” the statement said in part.
While congratulating Atiku for his emergence, Babangida expressed appreciation to former National Security Adviser, General Mohammed Aliyu Gusau and Kwara State governor, Dr Bukola Saraki for submitting their political ambition to the dictates of the consensus committee.

Besides, he thanked members of the Ciroma Committee for their personal and collective sacrifices towards the selection of a consensus candidate for the North. The former military president stated there is a fundamental lesson from the Ciroma committee which Nigerians would appreciate with time.
“Democracy can only be sustained and flourish under the principles of justice, rule of law, equity, and determination, particularly on the part of leadership to respect, adhere and advance the framework of upholding the constitution not only of the country, but also of various institutions such as the constitution of the Peoples’ Democratic Party,” he added


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/nov/23/national-23-11-2010-008.htm

So it is settled now. IBB will not contest under PDP. Atiku will.

Interesting. . .

I know that the north will come out with one animal

Where are all those shouting IBB? Come out and defend yourselves.
IBB can't win the North not to talk of primaries. What a shame. IBB, the spirit of MKO is still alive and hunting you greatly. Its obvious Atiku defeated you hands down.
Now i have to change my mentality towards the North. They aren't stupid as i thought.
Atiku is the perfect choice to represent the North. BUKOLA is not northern enough and GUSAU is inexperienced

I hope he's not owing Dokpesi and the other pitiable bunch of sycophants. By the way, I think we've not heard the last from IBB.

Two big criminals. They should be in EFCC cell by now. Hope GEJ does some thing extra-ordinary

hmmmm!

Interesting , I knew IBB was just wasting his time

Trade by Barter. I really wonder the itineraries of this consensus. They definitely stand to gain somethings out of this. I hope they have not finished sharing Nigeria among themselves before this agreement was reached.

naija politician are shameless.hw can a resonable group of pple  endorse   that   criminal   atifool.so dat is the best the north can offer?God why now.NAIJA   IF   FINISHED

^^^^^

calm down oga!!!

these are the ones that declared their ambition

who stopped u from contesting

if IBB has delivered a loser speech, then i guess he has given up hope

the key is will he dissappear into oblivion or resurface as the flagbearer in another party

till then

Just watch out, IBB will still contest under another platform, he is already destined to be put to shame by Nigerian voters. COMING SOON

Walai thalai IBB you fall my hand for accepting like this o!

which way Nigeria! Does this mean that Atiku is the best and brightest candidate the northan pdp can offer? Shame!!

Why all this ultimate concentration on PDP flagbearer ? Have we all forgotten we have over 20 political parties in Nigeria ? If norther PDP cannot present a worthy candidate,the likes of Nuhu Ribadu who is also from the north is a good choice for Nigerians.PDP can go to blazes for all I care !

OMG!!!! what an easy ride it wud be for GEJ. my question is ''WAS IBB SERIOUS ABOUT CONTESTING''?

lekanjohn:

Why all this ultimate concentration on PDP flagbearer ? Have we all forgotten we have over 20 political parties in Nigeria ? If norther PDP cannot present a worthy candidate,the likes of Nuhu Ribadu who is also from the north is a good choice for Nigerians.PDP can go to blazes for all I care !

Parties that exist only on paper or in Lagos and Abuja offices alone? Do they have structures? Do they have supporters? Most parties in Nigeria bar 3 or 4 simply exist to make noise during elections, get funding/settlement to 'support' a certain candidate and pack it in for the next 4 years.

I hope IBB goes to contest for another party, he needs to spend some more of those billions.  

lekanjohn:

Why all this ultimate concentration on PDP flagbearer ? Have we all forgotten we have over 20 political parties in Nigeria ? If norther PDP cannot present a worthy candidate,the likes of Nuhu Ribadu who is also from the north is a good choice for Nigerians.PDP can go to blazes for all I care !

QFT

@ adel, i thought same. But Atiku is an easy ride by gej.

GEJ will win primary, but not general. He is too soft.

Nsiman:

@ adel, i thought same. But Atiku is an easy ride by gej.

Oh, really? an easy ride? Dont forget the capability of this Norther politicians, they can and will do what they want to do in this country. They want GEJ out, take ur time and u will see GEJ waka for Atiku.

I fear dem all the time, even while asleep.

I thot Atiku was in AC party & he was 1 of the founders of the AC party, now he has been endorsed by PDP. Now am confused  . Just shows that this F#$Kin Nigerian politicians really dont care about the country but about how to reap the country off for their selfish means. What is even the qualifications of Atiku. So sad!!!!

i wonder why nigerians celebrate any and everything they hear.
how does atiku's consensus choice of the northerners become a thing of celebration?
jonathan is and has been our president for months now with absolutely nothing to show for it. jonathan is has refuse to approve ordinary N18,000 minimum wage and in no way has jonathan shown that he is different from obasanjo and other criminals that have been stealing from this country.
why are we always happy to celebrate even there is no reason.
even if we say jonathan does not have criminal records, what about all the full times federal criminals in nigeria working with him? tony annenih is the new campeign co-ordinator of jonathan and siemens scandal have been stopped by this same man we are celebrating.
what is the future of this useless jungle called nigeria? many of us who said no to 3rd term have indirectly said yes through these glorified or modernised third term agenda. look at this jonathan's govt and mention one name that said no to third term yet we celebrate lost.

This only goes to show that IBB is an honourable man and that is why I respect him and still beleive that he is the leader we need at this point in our history. But, all the same I congratulate Atiku.

Concensus candidate indeed. They can't even pretend to be democratic by electing a flagbearer. Everything must be underhanded, decided by the fewest number of people and obviously riddled with corruption. That is classic northern politics for you. Is Atickle really the peoples choice. If not they should forget the presidency. We donot want any feudalistic overlord.

while i agree with many that Atiku is allegedly a thief and corrupted character some you have to admit that  out of all the northern candidates he appears to be the most cosmopolitan and result oriented.  I admire the way in the face of all odds he always seem to persevere.  I don't think it will be the worse scenario if he ascends the presidency, especially if he can apply the same doggedness to get the country what it desperately needs.

bababuff:

Walai thalai IBB you fall my hand for accepting like this o!

a wise decision taken by a wise man.NO doubt IBB u re genius.

Ormania:

Oh, really? an easy ride? Dont forget the capability of this Norther politicians, they can and will do what they want to do in this country. They want GEJ out, take your time and u will see GEJ waka for Atiku.

I fear dem all the time, even while asleep.

GBAM

Hmmmmm, i hope that this is the road way for the down fall of PDP. It's high time we get rid of this nuisance.

Gekko:

while i agree with many that Atiku is allegedly a thief and corrupted character some you have to admit that  out of all the northern candidates he appears to be the most cosmopolitan and result oriented.  I admire the way in the face of all odds he always seem to persevere.  I don't think it will be the worse scenario if he ascends the presidency, especially if he can apply the same doggedness to get the country what it desperately needs.

Because he has wives from everywhere?