As a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi has vehemently backed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against allegations made by PDP Chieftain Chief Bode George that Atiku’s aspirations to become president are creating significant divisions within the party.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In an interview with Arise TV, Ningi challenged the consistency of the party’s zoning arguments, pointing to historical precedents. “Where was Bode George when Jonathan became President after Yar’adua?” he questioned. “He finished Yar’adua’s term, which was constitutional for him to finish his tenure. But where was that zoning then when Jonathan re-contested in 2011?”
The senator advocated for an open democratic process: “What is the problem with Atiku running? How can you stop him from running?” he asked. “You can say this to party members that, as far as you’re concerned, Atiku may not be eligible to run because he’s a northerner and this is the time of a southerner. Throw it open, let the southerners and northerners decide what happens.”
Sen. Ningi highlighted Atiku’s broad-based support, noting: “Atiku won his previous two primaries; he has got more votes from the south than the North, and the records are just there.” He challenged critics to compete fairly rather than target individuals: “Why should they single out just one individual and say he’s the problem of the party? Why don’t you come together and defeat him in a fair context?”
The senator also emphasized Atiku’s unique political persistence: “Atiku is the only one who has run for president four times. I do not think of any other human being who will be able to sustain himself after running for presidential election for consecutive times and they declared him not winning.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
