Question: WHY DID HE JOIN A RACE HE KNEW HE COULD NEVER WIN ?
Former National Security Adviser to the President, Aliyu Gusau has withdrawn from the presidential election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a bid to support the consensus candidate presented by the north. Mr. Gusau in a letter addressed to the party’s national chairman and members of the National Working Committee on Sunday stated that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the 2011 election “in line with his commitment to the consensus arrangement” which he acknowledged to be ‘‘fully part of’’. The retired general was amongst the candidates from the north that are vying for the PDP’s nomination ahead of the general polls in April. In September, he signed an agreement with 3 other PDP ..aspirants,Abubakar Atiku, Ibrahim Babangida and Bukola Saraki to present a single presidential candidate from the region, ahead of a screening by the Adamu Ciroma led committee that selected the consensus candidate.
Mr Gusau further affirms his decision on his withdrawal by claiming his support for the controversial issue of zoning that has since been rocking the party since the death of former President Umaru Yar’Adua . According to the letter, Mr Gusau stated that his decision is also based on “his conviction and compliance with the PDP amended constitution 2009 article 7(2)(c) which dictates that “the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of the party and public elective offices......” Wishing the party success at the forthcoming elections, Mr Gusau pledged his utmost support for the consensus candidate-Atiku Abubakar.
Former military president, Ibrahim Babaginda had in December 2010 also written the party’s leadership to withdraw from the race, stating his support for the consensus candidate as well. However the sole female aspirant for the nomination who is also from the North has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting the nomination of Mr Abubakar as the PDP’s presidential aspirant for the April 2011 general election.
Mrs Jubril claimed that Mr Abubakar is not the consensus candidate of the North and that she, being an aspirant, was not consulted nor called to any meeting where the alleged adoption of Abubakar was decided upon. Mr. Gusau resigned his appointment as the special adviser to the president in September shortly after his appointment.
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