North maps out plans for 2015 elections

Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu

The North on Thursday began move for the 2015 general elections, saying that it would join forces with other section of the country to realise its goal.

The Arewa Consultative Forum, which made this known in Kaduna after its meeting, said part of the strategy was to bring everybody in the region together regardless of ethnic or religious affinities.

The Northern governors had in May, this year through their Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu said the region would form a formidable force despite their different political leanings and go into the 2015 presidency.

Re-echoing the position of the governors, the pan-Northern socio-political organisation at the end the joint meeting of its National Executive Council and the Board of Trustees said it had begun strategising for the 2015.

The forum noted that 2015 was still far and would not want to distract governance but would welcome any strategy that will put the region in a vantage position to enable it to negotiate with other sections of the country ahead of the 2015 poll.

The forum, in a communiqué signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, on Thursday said to realise this, members had resolved to ensure that calm returns to the troubled region.

The ACF added that its priority at the moment was to bring unity and peaceful coexistence among northerners in particular and the nation at large.

According to the group, for the desired peace to reign in the region, “ACF must deliberately enlist the support of all stakeholders such as governors, local government chairmen, the legislators, traditional rulers and religious leaders as well as political leaders of political parties for the express purpose of implementing those aspects of the recommendations that are within the purview of their executive authority and sphere of influence.”

The communiqué added, “The emergency meeting was called to receive and consider the road map for peace, Unity and development of Northern Nigeria. The road map is an outcome of the resolutions of the Arewa Conference on peace and unity held on the 5th and 6th December,2011,which were stepped down into the executive summary for implementation by stakeholders. The submission was done by former Inspector General of police, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, the Sardaunan Katsina.

“While the forum supports any political strategies that would put the North in a position which will enable it to negotiate with other sections of the country from a position of strength and secure some favourable terms, it was the considered view of the forum that it is too early to start full fledged political activities for 2015.This is because such early start is capable of detracting from the task of governance at our collective peril.”

Source