2023 Polls: CNG Declares Neutrality Over Tinubu, Atiku’s Running Mates
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) says neutrality is the watchword in the selection of running mates by the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Declaring its indifference to both parties’ choices of Vice Presidential candidates, the CNG on Tuesday affirmed its commitment to the principles of good governance and quality leadership in the country.
According to the CNG’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mr Samaila Musa, who reacted to an alleged attack on Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP vice presidential flag bearer, the group’s interest in the country’s political leadership remained altruistic and therefore cannot be compromised.
Musa said at a media briefing in Abuja that as a renowned pro-democratic body, CNG is only interested in good governance and delivery of democracy dividends to Nigerians.
Further distancing CNG from the purported recommendation of one Dr Ibrahim Bello-Dauda, alias El-Dabi, as the preferred running mate for Tinubu, the Communication Director described the development as the personal opinions of some members.
Insisting that CNG is apolitical to happenings within the country’s two main political parties, Musa said; “Consequently, we assert that CNG is neither pro-APC nor Pro-PDP; or any political party for that matter; that CNG does not condemn or recommend any candidate or running mate for any political party; that CNG, during its last meeting or at any other engagement, neither discussed nor condemned the choice of Okowa as the running mate to the PDP Presidential Candidate; that CNG does not know or have any relationship whatsoever with one Dr Ibrahim Bello-Dauda, hence, does not recommend or prefer him as vice-presidential candidate for the APC.”
He said; “While a member or affiliate of the CNG may have his personal opinion on national issues as guaranteed in Nigeria’s Constitution, the CNG hereby disassociates itself from such positions and pronouncements. The CNG is resolutely committed to protecting the interest of Northern Nigeria without derailing from its ideals of neutrality, good governance, and quality leadership.
“We wish to unequivocally make it abundantly clear that the CNG remains to its core principles of neutrality and always advocates for good governance and quality leadership.”
