• NEF’s Unongo, Ahmed differ
A row broke out yesterday within the ranks of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) over the endorsement of two presidential aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as North’s consensus candidates.
NEF leadership disagreed over the extent of the forum’s involvement and its outcome.
It followed the announcement of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as the chosen ones by a committee chaired by NEF leader, Prof. Ango Abdullahi.
The committee rated them above the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and a former bank chief, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
It awarded 10 points each to Saraki and Mohammed, seven to Tambuwal and five to Hayatu-Deen.
But Tambuwal and Hayatu-Deen rejected the outcome, describing the Abdullahi committee as “faceless” and dismissing the outcome as “predetermined”.
NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy Mr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, distanced the forum from the process yesterday.
He said Prof Abdullahi, who was invited by the former military president to drive the process, did not act on NEF’s behalf.
But the Bauchi governor, who appeared on Channels Politics Today last night, said Bala-Ahmed had no right to contradict Prof Abdullahi.
Also, a former NEF Chairman and Second Republic Minister of Mines and Power Paul Unongo, who explained the choice of Saraki and Mohammed, said the decision was NEF’s.
He said most NEF leaders were present when the choices were made.
Baba-Ahmed said: “It has become necessary to address the impression created in part by mischief, and in part by genuine confusion over the role of the convener of Northern Elders Forum, in the effort to create consensus among four aspirants for the presidential ticket of the PDP.”
He insisted that the consensus idea was that of the aspirants themselves.
According to him, the aspirants had informed Babangida of their intention and requested “elderly intervention” and advice in the event that their efforts failed to produce consensus.
Bala-Ahmed said Babangida in turn requested Abdullahi in his individual capacity to design and manage a process that could improve a consensus agreement among the four aspirants.
He said Abdullahi consequently concluded that assignment and released a detailed report and recommendation, signing it in his individual capacity.
Absolving NEF of any role, Baba-Ahmed said: “It is important to make clear that the entire process did not involve the Northern Elders Forum as a group, and is not a product of the group.”
To him, Prof Abdullahi was “free to undertake any lawful activity as a citizen”, adding that “genuine misinterpretations of his role are understandable”.
The NEF spokesman said: “Northern Elders Forum is not affiliated to any political party or aspirant, and is strongly committed to the creation of a level playing field which will allow the emergence of the best leaders in the 2023 elections.
“It has also remained consistent in its conviction that all parts of the country should play their parts freely, unhindered by restrictions which offend principles of inclusion and fairness.
“The Forum believes the North has excellent candidates whose fate should be left to party delegates and voters to decide.”
Bala-Ahmed assured that NEF remained united behind the protection and projection of interests of the North and Nigeria, and would play its role as it has done whenever circumstances demand.
Unongo: Why Saraki, Mohammed were chosen
Unongo told reporters in Jos, the Plateau State capital, that the process was designed to foster unity, adding that the decision was taken in the interest of the Northcentral in particular.
He said: “Both Saraki and Bala stood out. We felt that a person who was a former Senate President and two-term governor of Kwara State and performing governor of Bauchi State would be better choices of the North.
“We felt we should present the two and let them choose between themselves.
“With somebody from the Middle Belt that is Senator Saraki, we felt he was qualified for the interest and unity of the North.
“Northern Elders Forum has competent elders. I cannot speak for those that were not there when the decision was taken.
“But by the people I saw there, I felt everyone was represented. I was there. Prof Abdullahi was there and many others and we gave our views.
“If our able and qualify elders like Yahaya Kwande felt we didn’t do well, they can go ahead and submit their own fresh names and we shall look into it but we felt we have represented all members.
“We are looking at it from the point of view of keeping the North united and making everybody to have a sense of belonging.
“The decision was taken within the context of what is the best for the Middle Belt and the North at large and was correct in term of practical applications and past experience.
“It was correct for the North to say it is time for the people of the Middle Belt to produce among our children that are contesting for the presidency and it is proper for our children to refer to us and we advise them accordingly.”
Saraki welcome decision
Saraki said his selection along with Mohammed as consensus candidates was not forced on anybody.
He said the aspirants had agreed to consult with the elders and abide by their decisions.
Saraki spoke with reporters at the Niger State PDP Secretariat in Minna, the state capital, when he met with the state delegates.
Reacting to the uproar over the consensus decision, Saraki noted that everyone involved in the process was not forced and that the recommendations needed to be taken in good faith.
“We voluntarily went to our elder statesmen to seek their participation.
“They did not seek or ask that they should be involved in it, and neither were we forced into doing it.
“We decided on our own to go seek their involvement for a northern consensus candidate.
”For the decision, we appreciate our elder statesmen for their role in the process and their patriotism and desire for the unity of the country. To abide by the decision is an individual choice. Everyone has to make his own decision.
“With all humility, I have accepted the recommendations and recognised them and have decided to forge ahead,” he said.
The former Senate President promised to tackle insecurity if elected president.
He said: “After I become President, there will be no more banditry and kidnapping in this country.
“I assure you that I will do more as president. I will include more women in my cabinet and make sure that my cabinet has youths as Ministers of State.