In an effort to play down a statement credited to Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, that President Goodluck Jonathan had an agreement with PDP governors to run for only one term of four years, the presidency on Wednesday insisted that there was no such thing.
Jonathan is reportedly eyeing a second term in office, with permutations already underway.
Speaking in a radio interview on Liberty FM in Kaduna on Saturday, Aliyu maintained that the president indeed entered into a pact with the governors on the platform that he would do only one term.
He said it would be dishonorable for the president to now renege on his promise because he wanted to remain in office.
But the governor’s remark has since unsettled Aso Rock, with aides of the president struggling to defend him.
Jonathan’s Adviser on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, in his reaction said: “The alleged agreement only exists in the figment of the imagination of someone with presidential ambition.”
He accused Aliyu of making a “frivolous allegation” because of his presidential ambition.
The recent defense by another aide, Doyin Okupe, was short of saying his boss has no future political aspiration.
“Mr. President will therefore stoutly resist any disguised or open attempt to drag him into any debates, arguments or political discussions relating to a presidential election in 2015.”
“This is neither the time nor the season to begin electioneering campaign or related discourse for the 2015 presidential elections and so President Goodluck Jonathan will not jump the gun.”
“For now we assure Nigerians of Mr. Presidents resolve to continue to devote his energy to a successful implementation of the transformation agenda, fix Nigeria and thereby justify the mandate freely given to him by the Nigerian people,” he said.
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