The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, yesterday, told the north to forget the presidency in 2015, saying President Jonathan Goodluck will re-contest to enable him consolidate on his transformation agenda.
The minister, who reeled out many multi-billion naira projects cited in the North since 2007, argued that there was no Nigerian leader that had committed so much to the development of the North within such a short time.
He said this yesterday at a town hall meeting broadcast live on local media stations in Kaduna as part of activities lined up for the Good Governance Media Tour of Kaduna State.
Maku, who expressed worry over the constant attacks on Federal Government and increasing agitation for power shift to the North, wondered what the previous
administrations did to develop the region.
Maku said: “There has been huge denial that President Jonathan is developing the North. Not even since Gowon’s days has any past administration impacted so much on the North than Jonathan’s administration within such a short time.
“I challenge anyone to a debate. The evidence is clear that the Yar’Adua/Jonathan’s administration paid utmost attention to the North. It has been proved that it is not only Presidents from the North that will develop the region.
“The story has changed. Power will not reside only with one side of the country for too long again because we are in a democratic era.
“Gone are the days when one section of the country believes it is born to rule. Under a de-mocracy, every part of Nigeria must taste the Presidency.
“Today, it happens to be an Ijaw man from the Niger Delta region. And, please let’s be fair to each other. Is there anyone who is President in Nigeria that will not want to go for a second term?
“Even as a northerner, if I am the President, nothing will stop me from contesting for a second term. It is the same for Jonathan.
“He is mentally, physically and morally fit to go for a second term, and he will.
“So those saying that power must shift back to the North are wasting their energy and resources, because under a democracy, no part of a country has a monopoly over power.”
… lists Jonathan’s contribution to North
Maku then listed President Jonathan’s contribution to the development of the north to include the dredging of rivers Niger and Benue; revitalisa-tion of the comatose railways; the first ongoing Abuja-Kaduna standard guage rail line; investment in agriculture; construction of 100 Almajiri schools; and revitalisation of dams among others.
He said: “What have the past leaders done on Ajaokuta? The river dredging projects are aimed at developing the North after 50 years of its conception.
“The rail transport collapsed until the present administration came on board. The number one project of this administration is the N135 billion Abuja-Kaduna standard guage rail line.
“If we are talking about developing the North, there is a new beginning and design by this administration to do so. North took power and did nothing for its 35 years in power.”
