As the 2015 general election draws closer, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, on Tuesday charged politicians in the country to sue for peace so that development can take place in the country.
Abubakar said this when he paid the Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, a Sallah homage at his Tunga residence in Minna.
He said as the country prepares for the 2015 general election, there is the need to understand that politics is a game.
According to him: “As we go into 2015, we should try to maintain this peace in Niger State and indeed Nigeria at large.
“Comparatively, Niger State has been safe, lives and properties are secured.
“I will like to take this opportunity to advice political aspirants in the 2015 general elections to please try and maintain peace.
“Let us understand that politics is a game of chance.
“Play the rule of the game and maintain the peace.
“Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are all sisters and brothers.”
Speaking on political endorsements, Abubakar said politics is more than that, adding: “Endorsement does not give the ticket.
“The pools will decide who wins the elections.”
The elder statesman also commended Aliyu, whom he said was already in his last lap of governance as a governor.
Abubakar said: “In this your last lap, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on all your achievements.
“You have done well so far.”
General Abubakar also said certainly mistakes must have been made in the cause of service to the people, but achievements made are there to be seen by the people.
He added: “Your successor should continue from where you stop to complete what you could not finish.”
Responding to the General’s gesture, Governor Aliyu said elections will be peaceful in Niger State and Nigeria come 2015 as against the fear of negativity as speculated.
He said: “I have always insisted on the zoning formula in the state.
“The zoning arrangement put in place by the Peoples Democratic Party has been successful in the state and there is no need to change the policy midway as the best candidate will emerge.
“I am still consulting to ensure that the zoning as agreed by the party is not truncated.
“It has always been the process of selection of who will be in Niger State.
“We are consulting and praying that whosoever we choose will be the choice of God.
“The will of God is what we ask in all things we do.”