THREE NORTHERN GOVS INSIST ON JONATHAN

Three northern governors, namely Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and Issa Yuguda (Bauchi), weekend in Benin City, described the Mallam Adamu Ciroma-led Consensus Committee as a self-seeking clique, plotting to impose former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as president of NIgeria.

The trio, who were in Benin City to commiserate with Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the death of his wife, Clara, asserted in separate interviews with newsmen that “the only consensus candidate we know is President Goodluck Jonathan and nobody else.”

They described the choice of Atiku Abubakar as self-seeking and not reflective of the wishes of the North.
In his words Yakowa said,  “I don’t know anything about consensus candidate. We already know our candidate, and President GoodLuck Jonathan is our only candidate for the presidency.”

On his part, Governor Suswam, who observed that the decision of the Mallam Ciroma Committee was that of a few cabal, said, “I define politics as a circle of conspiracies, so if nine people agree among themselves that they want to select among themselves somebody who will contest an election, I don’t think that is binding on me.

“I was not consulted and the people of Benue State were not consulted so to make a generalization that that is a Northern position, I don’t think that is fair.

“I, as the governor of Benue state, you take a decision and you do not consult me and you say that that decision is a decision that is binding, I don’t think that makes sense to anybody and it does not make sense to me anyway.”

Asked about his opinion at Benin Airport, Yuguda wondered why people should be discussing issues that never existed, adding “the only consensus we have is President Jonathan and nobody else please.”

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his sympathies with Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the death of his wife, Clara.

The President, who expressed his condolences through a high-powered Federal Government delegation, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, said, “Edo State is mourning, but Nigeria also mourns because the loss of a Nigerian is a loss for everyone. Clara was in the heart of us all.”

According to him, “What she left behind are formidable, important and lasting legacies. We like to assure you of the Federal Government’s support in this difficult moment of your life.

“We pray that God will give you the fortitude to bear the loss. It is the wish of the President that Allah gives you the courage to take the challenges ahead.”

Responding, Comrade Oshiomhole expressed appreciation to President Jonathan for the visit. He said, “I am very touched and consoled by the decision of President Jonathan in sending such a high-powered delegation to fly all the way from Abuja to identify and share with us.”

“It has shown that at the highest level that we have such a friend and brother to console us in our moments of grief.
“As a human being, we can’t question God and yet we are unable to resist grief when we plan one thing and another thing happens. It was so painful, yet I had to accept it.

“I have disputed so many things in life, but I can’t dispute God’s judgment. I am humbled and I submit totally to God’s judgment.

“What my wife’s death has shown is that man proposes and God disposes. When we beat our chest and say we have taken care of details, we are deceiving ourselves. Only God has the final say on all issues.”

Other members of the delegation are the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, the Minister of State for Works, Chief Chris Ogiemwoyi and the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu.