Don’t contest presidency in 2015, Ebute tells Tambuwal
Yuguda’s Senate posters appear in Bauchi
Former Senate President Ameh Ebute has advised the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, against contesting the country’s presidency in 2015 saying it is a dream that is not achievable.
Ebute, in a letter to Tambuwal made available to our correspondent, said those urging the Speaker to contest the presidency are only misleading him.
“You have been gallivanting the whole length and breadth of the country visiting where you are not wanted. Attending obituaries, birthday parties, and generally doing ‘notice me’ all in an effort to earn the appellate of ‘President in waiting.’ Some of your backers nudge you. I remember not long ago Gen. Ibrahim Babangida publicly advised you to seek ‘higher office’, understandably meaning the presidency,” he stated.
The former senate president called on the Speaker to declare the seats of the 37 House of representatives members that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant saying the Speaker’s inaction is akin to holding Campaign posters announcing the ambitions of Bauchi State Governor Mallam Isa Yuguda, that of Alhaji Sanusi Baban Takko and Barrister Lawal Husseini have appeared in strategic parts of Bauchi indicating the interests to contest senatorial positions in 2015.
Our correspondent reports that the different posters, which bear pictures of the three aspirants, have been pasted at strategic locations in Bauchi metropolis and in some other local government areas of the state.
The posters, some in Hausa language bear inscriptions such as “2015: Mallam Isa Yuguda our choice for Senate insha Allah.” “Alhaji Sanusi Baban Takko for senate 2015 Change In Sha Allahu.” “Vote for Barrister Lawal Husseini for senate 2015.”
It is speculated that Yuguda and Baban Takko may run under the PDP banner while Husseini may contest on the APC platform.
Speaking to our correspondent on the timing of the posters, a popular youth leader who pleaded anonymity said ‘‘ this is the right time to start serious politicking if you don’t want the train of 2015 to leave you behind.”
The youth leader who was among the people that gathered to get a glimpse of the array of posters of the aspirants at the ever busy Abubakar Umar Roundabout, described the development as a positive one that will enhance democracy in the state.
Husseini, a youth leader in various associations had declared his intention to contest for the seat in different political fora. the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ransom.
Ebute in the open letter entitled: “Aminu Tambuwal, defected 37 PDP members, impunity, treachery and INEC”, said Tambuwal did not act appropriately when the members defected and that even after the court advised that they should vacate their seats, the Speaker chose to look the other way.
He called on INEC to guide the Speaker appropriately so he could act ‘appropriately’ by declaring the seats of the 37 members vacant.
Governor Yuguda however, has not made his ambition public, but the governor’s aides that spoke with our correspondent declined to comment on the posters saying there are many political groups asking the governor to vie for the position.
Takko , a close confidante of Ahmed Gulak has also not declared his intention to contest but many political groups are urging him to do so.
It is expected that the incumbent senator, Adamu Ibrahim Gumba may likely re-contest the seat.