2015: Aliyu insists on zoning, begs emir to rally his people

In a bid to ensure that the state is stabilised politically, the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, on Monday called on the people of the state to maintain the zoning formula in operation.
Aliyu said that has always been the stabilising factor in Niger State.
Governor Aliyu said this when he paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Kotangora, Seidu Namaska, over the death of his son.
He said there was the need for the royal father to rally his people to work towards making sure the next governor in the 2015 election is from Zone C.
He said those peddling the idea of discarding the existing zoning arrangement do not mean well for the state.
He urged other zones to support Zone C.
Aliyu said: “”We must work within the confines of existing zoning arrangement in Niger State.
“There is rumour that some politicians are planing to present a governorship candidate to counter the existing arrangement.
“We must eschew the rumour and if it becomes real, unanimously counter the plot.”
Governor Aliyu appealed to the people of Kontagora and Borgu Emirate Councils located in the zone producing the next governor, to have an harmonised arrangement to avoid having challenges at the polls.
Accordingly, he said: “The political arrangement is for Kontagora to produce the next governor, while Borgu is to produce the next senator.”
Speaking on the issue of candidates jostling for the governorship from the zone, Aliyu said those from the Peoples Democratic Party must choose a candidate among themselves to avoid unnecessary heat during primaries.
He further asked politicians to always be grassroots based and dividend of democracy inclined, adding that a candidate deficient in these areas will not be sellable.