Written by Taiwo Adisa and Kola Oyelere
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
THE North appears to have moved beyond the era of ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua, following fresh moves within the geopolitical zone to present a vice-presidential material to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan any moment from now...
Two main groups have emerged in the bid, in what a source said was another attempt to ensure that the North fielded its first 11 for the presidency in 2011.
It was gathered on Tuesday that one of the groups had concluded arrangements to ensure the emergence of a "Young Turk," first to the seat of the vice-president and then for the presidential seat in 2011.
Sources said that the group pushing for the emergence of a young Turk had conducted studies and arrived at the conclusion that the time was ripe for the North to be represented by young and vibrant candidates at the presidency.
The group pushing for the emergence of a young Turk had, therefore, shortlisted the trio of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a former Minister of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai and former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu.
Another source said that the name of former governor of Jigawa and Kano states, Alhaji Sule Lamido and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, are also on the list.
A source said that some leaders of the North were already seeking the right time to present proposals to the acting president on the need to move forward and appoint one of the preferred candidates as his deputy.
It was gathered that the group would then back the emergence of the vice-presidential material as presidential candidate in 2011.
It was further gathered that another group seeking the emergence of experienced hands in the presidency had decided to push forward former intelligence chief, General Aliyu Gusau.
General Gusau contested the 2007 presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which produced President Yar'Adua.
The group pushing for experience above youth, according to sources, was of the view that the Jonathan presidency needed a strong character as vice-president, somebody who could rally the North behind the acting president.
Those pushing General Gusau's candidacy are said to be hammering on the fact that the man has experience in the security circles.
The group is said to have insisted that Gusau's knowledge of the security networks could be invaluable in a Jonathan presidency.
But a position paper put together by the group, bent on presenting a young Turk first as a vice-presidential material and then as a presidential candidate in 2011 insisted that only the young and upwardly mobile professionals from the North possess the abilities to lift Nigeria to greater heights.
The group insisted that Yar'Adua had not been a fair representation of the North.
"We believe that Yar'Adua was not a fair representation of what the North has to offer. The belief is that Yar'Adua missed the opportunities and wasted chances to move Nigeria forward," the group submitted.
A source further said "we are thoroughly disappointed and embarrassed by the Yar'Adua presidency, there are arguments in support of a younger generation to produce the next president. The North has more than 80 million people, many of whom are well educated, tried and tested in various public offices. Why must we recycle the same old cargoes over and over again?"
While justifying the need to draft the young generation from the North into the presidency, the group further declared that while Ribadu made impact in the fight against corruption, Mu'azu developed Bauchi State and el-Rufai made notable efforts when he served as minister of the FCT.
The group further submitted that apart from the trio's record of achievements when they served in public offices, they also possessed links with the international community.
The group kicked against the possibility of any of the in-laws of President Yar'Adua to make the presidency.
The group, in its position paper, said "the person must be of the right age," while performance in office should be a key determinant as to who emerged.
"el-Rufai is known to have strong contacts in the international community. We note that Nigeria's important diplomatic partners are now wary of having persons of unknown pedigree to become president of the country, following the misadventure of Yar'Adua," the group said.
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