The outgoing Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, on Monday called on members who lost in the last general elections not to run away from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Aliyu said there was the need for virile opposition.
Aliyu, who made the call while commissioning some Eduction Trust Fund projects in the state College of Education in Minna, urged politicians to pray for the success of the All Progressives Congress as the party takes over the mantle of leadership by May 29 this year.
According to Aliyu: “Nigeria must not be a one party country.
“There must be a virile opposition in the country that can give its own views and opinions.
“Politicians should not allow a situation when we will go back to a one party system.
“A virile alternative will give views and give the party in power the need to be on their toes.”
It would be recalled that immediately after the general elections, which saw the All Progressives Congress clinch the presidential seat, many politicians in the PDP defected to the APC.
Aliyu said: “There is need to pray for the success of the APC government at all levels because if the APC fails, Nigerians will suffer for the failure.
“Nigerians have succeeded in entrenching democracy in the country.”
Furthermore, Aliyu called on the PDP to go back to the drawing board and come back bigger and better, saying: “Leadership is not about arrogance.
“Leadership must listen to the people.
“God made some of us to see the victory of APC before now.
“PDP must go back to the drawing board.
“We will be on holiday till 2019.
“Then you will see our faces again in a bigger and better way.”
Speaking on the projects being commissioned, Aliyu said they would work towards developing the infrastructure of the University of Education.
Accordingly, he said: “The Niger State University of Education would work towards training quality teachers to complement what the National Teachers Institute is doing.”
The projects commissioned included the University Micro-Teaching laboratory constructed at N160 million, University Multi-Functional Hall constructed at N140 million, University of Education clinic constructed at the cost of N36 million, University Mini-Stadium constructed at N50 million and the University male students hostel constructed at N100 million.
Others included the University Senate Building constructed at N100 million, College of Education Guidance and Counselling Clinic constructed at N9.5 million, College Home Management Flat constructed at N21 million, College Home Economics Laboratory constructed at N13.5 million and four large classrooms for the College of Education at N200 million.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Niger State College of Education, Prof. Muhammed Daniyan, appreciated Aliyu for giving them the free hand to generate and utilize the Internally Generated Revenue.
Daniyan said with the commissioning of these projects, they are more than prepared for the effective take off of the university.