SON of Nigeria’s late prime minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Abdul Jelil who was denied the Presidential forms and vowed to drag the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to court to seek redress, may have yesterday bowed to pressure to withdraw from the race.
Jhalil Tafawa Balewa who dropped his presidential ambition ahead of December 6 National Convention where President Jonathan would be ratified, however pledged that he would support the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Jhalil Tafawa Balewa who dropped his presidential ambition ahead of December 6 National Convention where President Jonathan would be ratified, however pledged that he would support the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the Asokoro residence of former Federal Commissioner and South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Jhalil Tafawa Balewa however laid credence to an earlier statement made by Chief Clark that he has succeeded in intervening to make peace between Jhalil and Goodluck whom he (Clark) referred to as his sons.
Balewa who spoke during a press conference organized by the foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
Chief Clark said, “I wish to inform you that I have succeeded in intervening to make peacebetween two of my sons, Dr. Jhalil Tafawa Balewa and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Dr. Jhalil Tafawa Balewa had indicated his intention to contest the presidential primaries on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party against the decision of the party to give President Goodluck Jonathan the right of first refusal. Unfortunately this issue was to generate unnecessary public distraction as detractors jumped to capitalize on it to make unfounded commentaries.
“The relationship between Dr. Jhalil Tafawa Balewa and President Goodluck Jonathan dates back to 2005 when the latter was the deputy governor of Bayelsa state. The same relationship continued in Abuja, when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan became the President. In deference to their old ties, Dr. Jhalil, has formally withdrawn his aspiration to contest the presidential election in the 2015 general elections”, says Clark.
On the fee paid for expression of interest form by Jhalil, Clark said it was a sacrifice for friendship.
Meanwhile, Chief Clark who condemned the attitude of some governors who want to use all means to go to the Senate and others who insist on nominating their successors, warned that such acts have forced a skewed electoral process right from the party primaries, adding, “This is most undemocratic and unacceptable as it defies all known democratic ethos and culture. Because our political climate is flooded with gullible characters, anybody given assignment by the party becomes a pawn in the palms of these ‘super’ governors to do only their bid to the detriment of the entire political process.”
The Ijaw leader who took a swipe at some governors who refused the sale of nomination forms for those who had aspired to become delegates from their wards, said, “We are not surprised at what is currently happening in the polity. Governors have wielded so much authority and power that they appear to hold the entire political process hostage. Except their bid is satisfied, they will do everything to either frustrate or scuttle the smooth conduct of political processes.
“Governors once elected should concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to their people by being exemplary in conduct and service.
“We as Nigerians must do everything within our powers to ensure the preservation and deepening of our democratic practice. We must put a finite stop to the kangaroo democracy governors are presently practicing out of desperation.”
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