http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101031583526

By EMMANUEL ADDEH
Sunday, 31 Oct 2010

The Chairman of the Action Alliance, Senator Suleiman Salawu, has advised a former Finance Minister and a leader of the Northern Political Leaders Forum, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, to stop posing as the mouthpiece of the north.


Some northern politicians under the aegis of the NPLF comprising Adamu Ciroma, Iyorchia Ayu, Madakin Fika among others had criticised President Goodluck Jonathan following the Abuja bomb blasts, accusing him of using investigations into the disaster to witch-hunt political opponents.


But dismissing the Ciroma-led group, Salawu on Friday listed former President Shehu Shagari, Chief Isaac Shau, Bukar Mandara as some of the voices that could authoritatively claim to be leaders of the north.


He counselled Ciroma and the NPLF to stop parading themselves as northern elders, saying, “They do not have the authority to determine the future of the north.”


Salawu maintained that there should be no basis for calling for the president‘s resignation, adding that those who were doing so, were only interested in their selfish ambitions.


The senator also described the search for a consensus presidential candidate in the north as a gang-up, noting that it would be an attempt in futility.


Salawu, who claimed memberhip of the Northern Union and Arewa Consultative Forum by virtue of his place of origin, said, ”We insist that Ciroma and his likes should stop regarding themselves as northern leaders. They do not have the authority to determine our future.


”Some of the recognised northern leaders are former president Shehu Shagari, Chief Isaac Shau and Bukar Mandara. If these so-called leaders are attempting to come up with a consensus candidate, it will be an exercise in futility.


”These people have been accumulating wealth for themselves, their wives and children. They should tell us what they have done to develop the north. Ciroma is a minority voice in the north. Even the All Nigeria Peoples Party won his ward; so what is he talking about?”


He stated that there should be no discrimination as long as a candidate qualifies to rule, irrespective of the zone they come from.


Salawu added, ”If there is somebody from the remotest part of the country and he is good for this country, why not allow him? Why can‘t we forget this north/south dichotomy for once and think like true Nigerians?”