No fewer than eight prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger state and among them three members of the state executive council have declared interest in the 2015 governorship race.
Two of the aspirants have already sent their letter of intent to the Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu while the third informed the governor that he is still consulting.
Among the eight mentioned in on Monday by Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu are the Deputy Governor Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, the Commissioner for Works alhaji Muazu Bawa and the Chairman of Wushisishi local government area alhaji Saidu Wushsishi.
The Chief of Staff Government House who Governor Aliyu said has gubernatorial ambition said the aspirant informed him that he is still consulting with his people and the leadership of the PDP.
Though Governor Aliyu who made the names of the aspirants known at the 1st Niger State Investment Climate Summit did not name the other aspirants he none the less expressed his believe that next governor of the state should come from within members of his cabinet.
The PDP has already zoned the governorship ticket to the Niger North Senatorial zone from where all the aspirants mentioned by the governor come.
Though Governor Aliyu did not mention their names it is believed that former Senator Nuhu Aliyu Auna, Alhaji Mustapha Bello and a onetime Commissioner for Agriculture Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane are among those jostling for the sole PDP governorship ticket.
The Governor said in other to avoid unnecessary acrimony and generate bad blood he has asked all the aspirants to meet and peacefully pick one of them to fly the party’s flag in the 2015 governorship polls.
Dr Aliyu said his interest in a person from within taking over from him is informed by the need to have “somebody that will continue the good works and policies we have put in place”.
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