Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is in power in Bauchi State, has been advised to allow a level playing field in the run-up to the 2027 general elections in the state.
The advice is to ensure that the party will not make a grave mistake that may cost it the state through the wrong choice or imposition of unpopular candidates.
The assertion was made by the Chairman and Convener of a political pressure group “Is Good to be Good,” Alhaji Ibrahim Lawi, while speaking at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting held in Bauchi on Sunday.
He particularly called on the leadership of the party in the state to ensure a level playing field in the build-up to the party primaries so that a popular candidate will emerge to enable the party to remain in power beyond 2027.
Ibrahim Lawi called on the Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed, not to allow enemies of the state to cause political tension that may spell doom for the PDP in 2027, urging him to insist on fairness and equity in the build-up to the party primaries.
He stressed that the relationship between the Governor and the Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, is very cordial and smooth, having been together for a long time as friends and family.
He used the medium to dismiss as mere rumours the existence of any form of rift between the Governor and the Senator, who have been partners for many years.
Ibrahim Lawi emphasised that the two leaders are united and their relationship remains strong and cautioned the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to avoid past mistakes and ensure a level playing field in the upcoming party primaries.
He urged Gov Mohammed to prioritise fairness and equity, allowing a popular candidate to emerge and securing the party’s continued dominance beyond 2027.
Lawi praised Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi’s loyalty and dedication to the PDP, stating that he has “duly paid his dues” and must be given the chance to lead come 2027.
According to him, “Abdul Ahmed Ningi has remained faithful and loyal to the PDP since its formation; he has duly paid his dues to the party; therefore, 2027 should be his payback year. The PDP in Bauchi State should honour him with the gubernatorial ticket to succeed Bala Mohammed.”
He also used the medium to warn the people of Bauchi State, particularly PDP members, not to be deceived into playing money politics in 2027 but to choose the best material for the governor in order to continue the good things happening at the moment.
The group drummed support for Sen Abdul Ahmed Ningi’s gubernatorial aspirations come 2027, stressing that he is most fit to succeed Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir.
The group, made up of retired civil servants in Bauchi State, held a public consultative meeting on Sunday for stakeholders from the Bauchi South Senatorial District.
All the speakers at the meeting extolled the good virtues of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who is currently representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District at the NASS.
They all unanimously urged the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, to support the aspirations of Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who they stressed was instrumental to his emergence as Governor in 2019 and re-election in 2023, having withdrawn his aspirations after a series of consultations.
The various speakers agreed that Bala Mohammed is currently doing his best to evenly develop the state infrastructurally, and so he needs someone like Ahmed Abdul Ningi to succeed him in 2027.
The speakers further stressed that Abdul Ahmed Ningi is most qualified to succeed Bala Mohammed come 2027, assuring that they will do everything possible to drag him into declaring interest.
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