North Dogara Christian Group Declares Support for Atiku
A group of northern Christians led by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has thrown their support behind Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambitions.
The group, under the aegis of the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum (NLCF), made this known in Abuja on Friday.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
But the All Progressives Congress (APC) has Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shetima, both Muslims, on its presidential ticket, sparking protests from some Christian APC leaders in the north.
The protest by the Northern Christian group was led by Mr Dogara and a former secretary to the Federation Government (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who declared his support for Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
On November 24, Mr. Lawal endorsed Mr. Obi's candidacy, provoking Mr. Dogara's disapproval.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr. Lawal had based his support for Mr. Obi on the fact that "the Obi/Datti will give us a breath of fresh air and the greatest opportunity to lift our country out of the quagmire in which we have been plunged by a recurring group of self-centered reactionaries.”
On Friday, the NLCF chaired by Mr. Dogara adopted Mr. Abubakar during a meeting in Abuja.
How Atiku Was AdoptedNLCF said it has reviewed and adopted recommendations contained in a report by the Northern Leaders Technical Criteria Committee (NLTCC) chaired by Kumalia Mohammed, with Mela Nunge as secretary.
Presenting the report to the meeting, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba, said that the NLTCC was set up to analyze the chances of the four main political parties and recommend which ones to support.
Mr. Achuba said the four political parties - APC, PDP, Labor Party (LP) and New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), were considered on their ability to forge national cohesion.
The report, while recommending the choice of the PDP, states that by all indications the PDP "appears to be above the edge in all criteria as postulated."
“It is nationalist in its propagation even if it is not free from internal crises like each of the other political parties.
"If the momentum is supported aggressively, this will be the part to be reckoned with.
"From the above assessment and analysis, it is evident that the APC is heading for implosion and extinction; therefore, it cannot be the party at this time and in the future due to his refusal to embrace inclusivity in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
“After the 2023 elections, the APC could be dead and buried as a political party.
“While the duo NNPP and LP could emerge as serious contenders in the political arena in the future, from all indications, PDP appears to be the best option to adopt and support.
“All it takes is to support and address some of the issues and challenges facing this country.
"Certainly, with proper consultation and inclusive appointments, which take into account the principles of federal character with sincere consideration of various issues such as religious affiliation, geographic location and ethnic identity, which many believe , will strengthen justice, fairness and equity.< /p>
“After careful evaluation of all the issues highlighted above, we hereby recommend the adoption of the PDP, to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria, for the presidential election of 2023.
“However, this should be conditional on securing the necessary assurance from the party to lead an inclusive government, the details of which will be discussed with the party leadership in the near future.”
After hearing input from some members of the group, including former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Muktar Shagari, the meeting adopted Atiku.
Mr. Dogara said his group's support for Atiku "aims to ensure fairness and promote peaceful coexistence in the country".
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A group of northern Christians led by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has thrown their support behind Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambitions.
The group, under the aegis of the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum (NLCF), made this known in Abuja on Friday.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
But the All Progressives Congress (APC) has Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shetima, both Muslims, on its presidential ticket, sparking protests from some Christian APC leaders in the north.
The protest by the Northern Christian group was led by Mr Dogara and a former secretary to the Federation Government (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who declared his support for Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
On November 24, Mr. Lawal endorsed Mr. Obi's candidacy, provoking Mr. Dogara's disapproval.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr. Lawal had based his support for Mr. Obi on the fact that "the Obi/Datti will give us a breath of fresh air and the greatest opportunity to lift our country out of the quagmire in which we have been plunged by a recurring group of self-centered reactionaries.”
On Friday, the NLCF chaired by Mr. Dogara adopted Mr. Abubakar during a meeting in Abuja.
How Atiku Was AdoptedNLCF said it has reviewed and adopted recommendations contained in a report by the Northern Leaders Technical Criteria Committee (NLTCC) chaired by Kumalia Mohammed, with Mela Nunge as secretary.
Presenting the report to the meeting, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba, said that the NLTCC was set up to analyze the chances of the four main political parties and recommend which ones to support.
Mr. Achuba said the four political parties - APC, PDP, Labor Party (LP) and New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), were considered on their ability to forge national cohesion.
The report, while recommending the choice of the PDP, states that by all indications the PDP "appears to be above the edge in all criteria as postulated."
“It is nationalist in its propagation even if it is not free from internal crises like each of the other political parties.
"If the momentum is supported aggressively, this will be the part to be reckoned with.
"From the above assessment and analysis, it is evident that the APC is heading for implosion and extinction; therefore, it cannot be the party at this time and in the future due to his refusal to embrace inclusivity in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
“After the 2023 elections, the APC could be dead and buried as a political party.
“While the duo NNPP and LP could emerge as serious contenders in the political arena in the future, from all indications, PDP appears to be the best option to adopt and support.
“All it takes is to support and address some of the issues and challenges facing this country.
"Certainly, with proper consultation and inclusive appointments, which take into account the principles of federal character with sincere consideration of various issues such as religious affiliation, geographic location and ethnic identity, which many believe , will strengthen justice, fairness and equity.< /p>
“After careful evaluation of all the issues highlighted above, we hereby recommend the adoption of the PDP, to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria, for the presidential election of 2023.
“However, this should be conditional on securing the necessary assurance from the party to lead an inclusive government, the details of which will be discussed with the party leadership in the near future.”
After hearing input from some members of the group, including former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Muktar Shagari, the meeting adopted Atiku.
Mr. Dogara said his group's support for Atiku "aims to ensure fairness and promote peaceful coexistence in the country".
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