A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto state, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Tambari Tafida has said that voting President Goodluck Jonathan is not the panacea to Nigeria’s stability.
According to him, “Nigeria’s stability is the function and desire of its citizens not Jonathan.”
“A nation that has been thrown into predicament of political confusion and uncertainty as a result of bad governance resulting to gross incompetence, insecurity, poverty and economic undergrowth.
“This is disaster and where we have able and capable persons that can lead in order to rescue the country from colossal collapse you are talking of Jonathan and PDP which by all assessment have failed the expectations of Nigerians all round.”
Tafida spoke exclusively to The Nation in Sokoto while reacting to recent statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe.
Okupe had according to newspapers reports said the elections are about the stability of the country, also urging the north to wait for 2019 presidency,” when Jonathan completes his term, the region would have what he described as an “unequivocal” and “indisputable” opportunity to rule for eight years.
He said the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari from the North as the APC presidential candidate was not staged managed for sentiment rather on competence for a new Nigeria where its citizens will feel positive impact and belonged in affairs of governance.
However, Tafida said “Okupe cannot and is not to decide on the wish and desire of Nigerians who are rooting for change.
“The same PDP kicked against zoning at various instances and today they are talking of zoning,” he pointed out.
He said” APC is not afraid of the general elections and their outcomes. And the issue of conceding to Jonathan is out of place.”
According to Tafida “the APC journey for fresh air to Nigerians is a majority voice and collective decision that cuts across all ethnic, political and religious divides.
“Is a desirous political formation of those who have lost confidence in the present system under president Jonathan.
“Since he (Okupe) acknowledges that the north has been a stabilising political factor in the country, then why should he be over stretching his veins at this time that majority of Nigerians are fed up and willing to support a change of system,” he rhetorically asked.
He maintained that the same north has now come together with the south west, noting that “It is a union that has never been thought by political leaders either post or pre-independence era,” he pointed out.
Tafida said “Okupe should not be talking and making comparison with pre and early independence era of the country. They are two different circumstances.
“Our independence was paramount to our growth and unity as a nation seeking sovereign power from the colonial masters. We are talking of choice and abilities as politics demands of leadership.
” But what we (APC) are struggling to give Nigerians today is a place in the scheme of affairs of governance where they will be carried along in the most democratic ways for their individual and collective advancement where basic facilities will be available for and accessible to them under a transparent and accountable leadership,” he stressed.