Mantu denies presidential ambition
From Alifa Daniel, Abuja
THE Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, on Monday denied that he has a hand in the posters bearing his photograph, declaring that he would contest the 2007 presidential election.
However, Mantu said in a telephone interview, that if it is the will of God for him to become the president, he has nothing to say but goodluck to the people who printed and pasted his posters in Abuja.
Mantu, who said he was not aware of the posters prominently pasted at the entrance of the National Assembly and at the gate of the Apo Legislators' quarters, disclosed that those behind the posters did not have his blessings.
He added that he had sent his aides who claimed to have seen the posters to go and get him a copy of it.
"I do not know if it is the handiwork of mischief-makers, they definitely did not have my approval. A friend of mine just called from Lagos to tell me that he saw my posters there. He was angry that I had such an ambition and I did not tell him about it. They did not consult me, but one thing I can say, if it is a prayer, I say Amen. This is not the first time it is happening. When we saw that of Jibril Aminu when there were plans to recall him, I asked him if it was true that he was interested in being the president, he laughed and said he knew nothing about it. But like I said earlier on, if it is the will of God, I say Amen to it", Mantu added.
It is not the first time the name of Mantu has featured among those interested in President Olusegun Obasanjo's office, but he has never added his voice to it until the posters were seen in Abuja.
His name has also featured among those wanting Obasanjo to remain in office after 2007, using his influence as the chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee to review the 1999 Constitution. But Mantu has consistently denied that there was any plan to alter the constitution to make it possible for the President to remain after 2007.
