| Yobe Gov predicts new
political alliances
By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta
Friday July 16, 2004
Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim has predicted
a realignment of political forces in not too distant a future,
saying it would help the political future of Nigeria.
Ibrahim, who spoke while welcoming an Alliance for Democracy
(AD) chieftain, Mr. Kayode Soyinka to the Damataru State House,
said such realignment would also strengthen the cordial relationship
among Nigerians.
His words: " Although, the North East presently belongs
to a different political camp, the All Nigeria Peoples Party
(ANPP), I believe that in the not too distant future, there
is going to be a serious realignment of political forces of
this country, adding "we are looking forward to al these
exciting political developments, we are anticipating"
The three-time governor of Yobe State also lauded Mr Soyinka,
Publisher of London-based Africa Today magazine for his interest
in serving people, which he noted made him contest the last
AD governorship primaries in Ogun State.
He urged him not to be discouraged by his failure to beat
the then incumbent Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba saying,
"you have to keep on trying until you achieve victory".
Tipping him as future governorship material for Ogun State,
the ANPP Governor said: "It is a good thing that you
have the interest of your people at heart and want to serve
them. In politics, you just keep on trying to get an opportunity
to provide leadership for your people so as to be able to
practicalise the things you want to do for them. I believe
the next time you will try it you will get it, Insha Allah.
So try again. Never give up but keep on trying," he advised
Alhaji Ibrahim thanked Mr. Soyinka for the visit saying that
it would contribute towards cementing relations between Ogun
and Yobe states, as well as between the North East and South
West geo-political zones.
He expressed his intention to pay what he described as extended
visit to the south West later this year "for the dual
purpose of social interaction and also to solidify the already
existing relationship between Yobe and the south West".
Responding, Mr. Soyinka told the governor that he was in the
state to see how he could use his international magazine to
market the abundant investment potentials of the state to
the rest of the world.
|