Presidential election: Arewa rejects Jonathan

Posted by admin Arewa House, Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Presidency Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

CHIEFTAINS of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have, on Tuesday, unanimously agreed not to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s quest to remain as president in the forthcoming election

ACF also expressed its disappointment with the conduct of presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that it was below standard.

The decision was reached and ratified in a communiqué issued after the National Working Committee of the forum met on Tuesday.

The ACF, in communique signed by its national publicity secretary, Anthony Sani and made available to newsmen, indicated that “the emergence of President Jona-than as PDP’s presidential candidate was both legally and morally wrong, adding that it was a violation of the constitution of the party.

“ In this regard, and in the light of its principled stand on fairness and rule of law, the ACF rejects the outcome of the PDP presidential primary,” the communique read.

The forum added that “following an extended review of the just-concluded primaries in the country, the meeting came to the conclusion that the process within most of the major political parties fell short of the expectations of Nigerians, as they were thoroughly compromised by an appalling lack of internal democracy within the parties, manipulations, intimidation and other illegalities.”

He said the practices undermined democracy in the country and would make it impossible for credible people to participate in the electoral process in the future.

It charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address all technical problems that had bedeviled the voter registration process and ensure all Nigerians were allowed to register.

It reminded all “northerners who are being misled into attacking fellow northerners because of differences in tribe or religion that they are working hand in gloves with evil minded people.”

Those present at the meeting included, among others, General I. B. M. Haruna (rtd); Colonel Shehu Musa (rtd); Ambassador Hassan Adamu; Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Yakassai; Alhaji Moha-mmed Danbatta; Alhaji Moha-mmed Abdulrahman, Mr Anthony Sani and Alhaji Tanko Yakassai.

-Tribunewp_posts