Sequel to the search for a successor to take over government on May 29, 2015, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State on Tuesday said though he has a preferred candidate, God has the final say in the choice of who succeeds him.
Governor Aliyu promised that all the Peoples Democratic Party aspirants for the gubernatorial primaries will be given level playing ground, adding that participating in the primaries does not necessarily mean automatic ticket to emerge as governor.
According to him: “Niger State Government and the PDP in the state will provide a level playing ground for all aspirants, but as an islamic scholar, we are made to understand that when Mohammed was sick, he appointed somebody to lead prayers, Sunnah, among his numerous other followers.”
Aliyu spoke during the opening of the 4th Congress and National Workshop on Cooperative Trade as a Driver of Job Creation and Employment Generation, which took place at the UK Bello Arts Theatre in Minna, the state capital.
He said: “It should be recalled that in 2007, the then Governor, Abdulkadir Kure, had 11 candidates for the primaries, including his anointed, late Alhaji Bala Gunna, participated in the primaries, but God choose me entirely a different candidate who never participated in the primaries to emerge governor.
“Governor Kure anointed someone but God has already selected somebody who was not even part of the primaries.
“And that is the person standing before you today as governor.”
On the decision of who will take over from him in 2015, Aliyu pointed out that it is beyond him as an outgoing governor, adding: “Who will take over from me?
“I do not know, but I want all of us to accept whoever emerges victorious as the will of God.”