2011: North moves against Jonathan •As ACF may compel northerners to quit govt •Sets up Arewa Elders Assembly to actualise agenda

Written by Bola Badmus Tuesday, 08 June 2010

A major decision to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2011 presidential election may have been taken by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as it has resolved to ensure a northerner is elected Nigeria’s next president.

Jonathan became the president following the death of President Umaru Yar’ Adua in May this year.

The ACF, which met in Kaduna on Sunday, according to a source, took a number of decisions towards retaining power in the North beyond 2011, even though a division was said to have occurred in the ranks.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that in spite of the division which led to a section feeling suspicious of the other for allegedly selling out on Jonathan’s alleged 2010 presidential ambition, a parallel organisation, Arewa Elders Assembly was said to have been raised with a strict mandate to ensure that a northerner emerged as the next president of the country.

According to findings, prominent northerners serving in the government of President Jonathan may be given an ultimatum to resign their positions if eventually Jonathan decides to contest the 2011 presidential poll.

The elders’ assembly is said to consist of Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Bashir Dalhatu, Alhaji Shetima Ali Monguno and Waziri Kirfi, among others.

The move, Nigerian Tribune learnt, is to commence in earnest with forces being mobilised across the length and breadth of the North followed by mounting of pressure on President Jonathan to declare his alleged presidential ambition.

Besides, prominent northerners in the government of President Jonathan, including ministers, National Security Adviser (NSA), General Aliyu Gusau; General T. Y. Danjuma and others serving on various presidential committees would be tasked to confirm if it was true that Jonathan was going to contest the 2011 presidential poll.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the Arewa Elders Assembly was said to have resolved that should it be confirmed that Jonathan would contest the presidential election, it would have no option than to ask prominent northerners serving in his government to quit within a given time.

It will be recalled that Nigerians have been speaking on the possibility or otherwise of President Jonathan contesting the 2011 presidential poll, with opinions divided against the backdrop of the zoning principle in the PDP.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has, however, stated that there was no zoning arrangement in the party but stopped short of saying Jonathan would contest the presidential poll in 2011.