The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has said the North was set to negotiate with those seeking to be elected as president in 2015 in a bid to safeguard its interests.
Aliyu said this during the inauguration of the office complex for Federal Government workers in Enagi, the headquarters of Edati Local Government Area of Niger State.
He said that the North was prepared to follow whoever was duly elected in 2015.
Aliyu denied advocating for only northern candidates to seek the presidency of the country in 2015.
He, however, stressed the need for the promises made to the region to be fulfilled in the collective interest of all.
He warned that the state would not accept the introduction of religion into its body polity.
He said: “Here in Niger, we do not play the politics of religion as such attitude would negate the development drive of the state and the country at large.”
He added: “The state government does not interfere in the allocation of funds to the council, as some of the councils had embarked on meaningful projects that touch lives of their people.
“Edati Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Isah Kantigi. has proved this right by the projects executed today.”
The governor then promised to embark on a state wide tour of the councils in the state beginning from August, to inspect projects being executed.
This is coming ahead of the council election next year.
Kantigi said he has slashed the council overhead by 50 per cent to enable the council fund the N260 million projects his administration has embarked upon.
He said these included the offices for Federal Government staff deployed to the area, a magistrate court and a 15-kilometre road project.
He pledged to continue to execute projects that will touch the lives of the people in the area from the meager resources of the council.
He said this will be in keeping with his campaign promises to the people.
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