Jonathan Says PDP Governors Are Too Powerful To Ignore, Woos Sule Lamido

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Oyewale Oyelola

President Goodluck Jonathan says governors elected under the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are too powerful to ignore in the party’s decision making.

President Jonathan made this statement in Duste, the Jigawa state capital, during an interactive forum after he commissioned Duste International Airport on Tuesday.

His words: “I always tell our party that until we change our delegate pattern, the governors must dictate what happens.

The present delegate we have for all national elections, any governor that is fit to be a governor have controls of about 70 per cent whether we like it or not.

“So if you don’t get up to 70 per cent or 60 per cent from a state, that Governor no matter what he says is not for you. In the general elections, the governor cannot control all the state” President Jonathan affirmed.

He disclosed that his relationship with Governor Sule Lamido was cordial, noting that Lamido played a significant role in his election as President in 2011.

Jonathan described Lamido as straight forward man who never deceive people, adding “Even if there is a problem today, Sule Lamido is somebody I trust. He does not deceive. Let me reassure you that we have no problems; myself and Sule Lamido and definitely will not have problems with the people of Jigawa state. All we have to do is to strengthen our relationship more and work together.”

Governor Sule Lamido earlier in his speech commended Jonathan for his transformation programmes across the country.

He promised to continue to support the President and national interest as well as for benefits of people of Jigawa state.

It would be recalled Lamido alongside Governor Babagnida Aliyu of Niger state held back in defecting to APC when five out of G7 governors dumped PDP last year.

Governor Lamido aspires to contest for the presidential seat under the ruling PDP in 2015, yet his ambition has been truncated as his party’s leadership has decided on President Jonathan as its consensus candidate.