The Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, NGF, Babangida Aliyu on Tuesday said that he was being pressured by some political leaders in the state to run for Senate after completing his term in 2015 as the state governor.
He said, however, that he has yet to accept their suggestion, adding also that he had not endorsed any of the two members in his cabinet jostling to succeed him in 2015.
They are two term deputy governor, Ahmed Musa Ibeto and Commissioner for Works, Mu’azu Bawa.
Aliyu said this in Minna when he hosted Turban Communities Chiefs in Minna Emirate Council, led by the Eze Ndigbo of Minna, Eze Pampers Waiwe.
The visitors had asked him for his next line of action in 2015, to which the governor responded, “I have been consulted by some PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) leaders in the state to go to the Senate but I have not given them a word.”
Though, his body language suggested that he might be gunning for the upper chamber of the National Assembly in 2015, Aliyu however said he prayed that 2015 would be greater for him than 2007 and 2011.
On his successor in 2015, he commended the loyalty of his deputy (Ibeto) but said that he had no power to elevate him or any member of his cabinet to the office of the governor at the expiration of his term in 2015.
He said, “I have been praying that my successor should come from my cabinet. I confirm that my deputy is loyal. So far, I have two of them that have informed me, but the fact is, I cannot elevate any of them.
“I have also not endorsed anybody as my successor. I am only praying that the next governor will come from my cabinet so that he can continue wherever we stop. All we have to do now is to pray for the best for the state.”
Earlier,the leader of the team had commended the transformation programmes and policies of the governor and urged him to continue to initiate and implement people-oriented programmes.
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