Anxiety is growing among ministers from the
North as the campaign train of President
Goodluck Jonathan moves to the region from
today (Monday), investigation has revealed.
The Peoples Democratic Party has so far held
rallies in the South-West (except Ondo) and
south- eastern states since it inaugurated its
campaign in Lagos on January 8.
This week, the party is scheduled to hold its
presidential campaigns in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina,
Gusau, Kano, Dutse, Bauchi, Makurdi and
Maiduguri.
A minister, who pleaded anonymity, told our
correspondent that the growing anxiety among
his colleagues from the North was a result of
the fact that they were not sure of the kind of
reception that would be accorded the President
and the party leadership during the rallies in the
region.
He attributed the fear to the campaign of hate,
which he said, the opposition had successfully
spread against the President in that part of the
country.
This, he further said, had led to a wide
acceptability of the presidential candidate of the
All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in the area.
He said, “We know that we ministers will be held
responsible for the success or failure of the
rallies in our region. We are also aware that we
are going to be assessed based on the success
recorded by our colleagues from the South-West
and South-East who have, with all sincerity, put
up good performances.
“In our region, there is currently a campaign of
hate against the PDP and all that it represents.
Majority of these claims are untrue but
unfortunately, they are gaining ground.
“Have you not heard one of our governors in the
region saying it publicly that the PDP members
in his state are afraid to campaign for their
candidates openly? Is that supposed to be so?”
The minister however said he and his colleagues
would not spare any efforts aimed at ensuring
the success of the rallies that would start today
in Sokoto and Birni Kebbi, despite all odds.
Our correspondent further learnt that to achieve
this, the ministers from the North had been
holding strategic meetings with Vice President
Namadi Sambo.
Apart from the success of the rallies, it was
learnt that how to woo enough voters for the
President in the North, despite the glaring
hostilities, had formed part of discussions at
such meetings.
Ministers from states where there are no PDP
governors are taking charge of preparation for
the rallies which will take the President to Jos,
Ilorin, Lafia, Yola, Jalingo and Kaduna next
week.
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