Arewa group blames Governor Bagudu for GEJ to APC plot, threatens dissolution

…constitution crisis looms
A northern group, Arewa Peoples’ Forum (APF), has blamed Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State of fomenting chaos within the All Progressives Congress (APC) with an alleged plot to facilitate the emergence of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.

According to the group, Governor Bagudu has been pulling strings behind the scene to complete the defection of the ex-President to the party and claim its ticket, an arrangement they consider harmful to the party’s unity and chances of victory at the polls.

The allegation was made in a Monday statement in Kaduna, where the group urged the north and other members of the party to confront Governor Bagudu over this plan and rise to save the party from an embarrassing implosion.

The statement signed by the group’s Leader, Alhaji Ishaku Ahmed said, “It is high time the north and other members of the party interested in the continued existence of the APC as a united political entity rise up to challenge Governor Atiku Bagudu over his plot to hand over the party’s ticket to former President Goodluck Jonathan.”

“Abusing his access to President Muhammadu Buhari and influence within the party, Governor Bagudu has acted without care for the sensitivity of the north and other Nigerians with his obsession with the idea that Mr. Goodluck Jonathan should waltz into the party and claim the biggest prize.”

“Even if Governor Bagudu has conveniently forgotten, northerners and other Nigerians recall vividly that the entire basis for the formation of the APC was to ensure the dislodge from power of the same man he now wants to give the ticket to.”

“For over two years, founding members of the party campaigned against Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of hastening the country’s collapse with his negligence, ineptitude, and poor leadership.”

“How does Governor Bagudu and his co-conspirators expect the party to convince Nigerians otherwise in 2023? Will we not look unserious to them? How does he intend to market Mr. Goodluck Jonathan in the north after the many humiliations we suffered from the rhetoric delivered against us during his campaign in 2015?”

“Or does Governor Bagudu think we have forgotten the “people wey dey born pikin throway” insults among the other indiscretions?”

“Also important is the fact that any ambition by former President Goodluck Jonathan would run afoul of the constitution, having already been sworn in twice. Why should the APC risk legal annulment and other complications on the account of a man who, only a few years ago, it deemed a stumbling block to Nigeria’s progress?”

“The APC is a product of the sweat and sacrifice of so many people who deserve better than this imposition agenda Governor Bagudu is championing. An emergence of GEJ is a slap on the face to many and will split the party and guarantee its defeat.”

“We warn Governor Bagudu to desist and urge northerners to rise against this idea.”