The governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has said the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the North are ready to support a southern candidate if he/she wins the primary of the party.
Mohammed stated this while addressing Oyo State delegates of the party in Ibadan, Sunday.
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He said the North felt it is its turn to maintain the power since Yar’adua died in his second year in power.
He said, “The power shift is not going to be monopolistic zoning of the power, because zoning has been done many times in PDP and I told the delegate with humility. Out of the 16years PDP spent in power, 14years was exercised by southerners and we have supported them as patriots and leaders.
“The North is feeling that it is their turn to maintain the power and repudiation since Yar’adua died in two years in power. There should be a fresh opportunity for everybody so as for us to start afresh.
“That does not mean that we are shutting anybody from the South. If we get a southern candidate, we are ready to support him/her, and if we get a northern candidate, he/she should be supported.”
The governor said the PDP stakeholders should work together to ensure the return of the party to power.
He added, “I have discussed so many issues especially on zoning, party supremacy, need for love, harmony and the problem of APC which should be avoided; the need to close ranks and ensure that the PDP is back to power. This is because we have the experience and knowledge to fix Nigeria.
“My gospel is that we should come together irrespective of who emerges. But I have presented myself as one of the most credible candidates for the election. I have asked them to choose me but if they don’t choose me, certainly I am ready to support whoever emerges.”