Northern political leaders under the aegis of Northern Stakeholders Forum (NSF) have backed Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, ahead of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary.
The exercise is slated for Saturday, October 6, 2018, in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
Aside Tambuwal, others in the race are former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Senate President, Bukola Sarai; ex-Kaduna governor, Ahmed Makarfi; ex-Senate President, David Mark; former Governors of Plateau and Kano, Jonah Jang and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Others are Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed; ex-Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN); former Governors of Jigawa and Sokoto, Sule Lamido and Attahiru Bafarawa.
In a statement on Friday, NSF National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Usman Adamu, gave reasons the leaders decided to endorse Tambuwal.
He said: “The Northern Stakeholders Forum (NSF) after an emergency meeting on Thursday unanimously agreed to support the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as he aspires to lead the country.
“Parameters considered include his agenda, pedigree, popularity, youthfulness, experience and acceptance across the country.”
The spokesman noted that Tambuwal, being a former House of Representatives Speaker and sitting governor, would be able to manage executive-legislature relationship that would fastrack national development.
“We believe his legal background and involvement in the two branches of government has adequately prepared him for the greater task ahead. His presidency will engender formulation and implementation of quality policies and laws.
“As Speaker, Governor Tambuwal, Nigerians would recall, ensured a good working relationship with the executive arm to a large extent. And with him at the helm of affairs, the people should expect a working government.
“He is not only sound, we have seen that he understands the problems of Nigeria. We have heard his position and plans on restructuring, fiscal federalism, employment generation, economic diversification, rule of law, science and technology.
“We also heard his position and plans on equity in governance, infrastructure, agriculture education, sports development, health care system, industries, insurgency in North East and general security of the country, among others.
“The Northern Stakeholders Forum (NSF) believes that he has a firm grasp these issues and strongly affirm our total support for his candidature for the 2019 presidency”.
Meanwhile, the PDP has restated that Saturday’s national convention to elect its presidential candidate will hold as scheduled.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, spoke while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the National Working Committee’s (NWC) meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.
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