2023: Northern groups deny comment against Okowa, endorsing Tinubu’s running mate

By Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG has denied a reported comments against the Vice Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

CNG had also debunked the rumours making the rounds that it has endorsed Ibrahim Bello-Dauda as the preferred Vice Presidential candidate for All Progressives Congress, APC.

The position of the group is contained in a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Sama’ila Musa a copy of which was made available to Peoples Daily in Kano on Wednesday.

Musa said the group found it necessary to make the clarification following a media publications going round that the CNG has said, “Okowa can’t guarantee PDP victory” and purportedly recommended Dr. Ibrahim Bello-Dauda as the preferred Vice Presidential candidate for the APC.

Musa, in the statement, said CNG remains a neutral and advocate of good governance and is neither pro APC nor PDP or any political party in the country.

“The attention of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG)  has been drawn to media publications going round that the CNG has said “Okowa can’t guarantee PDP victory” and purportedly recommended  Dr Ibrahim Bello-Dauda as the preferred Vice Presidential candidate for the All ProgressivesCongress (APC). 

“The CNG wishes to unequivocally make it abundantly clear that has not been the position of the CNG as a powerful organisation that remains to its core principles of neutrality and always advocates for good governance and quality leadership.

“That CNG does not condemn or recommend any candidate or running mate for any political party.

“That CNG, during its last meeting or at any other engagement, neither discussed nor condemned choice of Okowa as the VP to the PDP Presidential Candidate.

“That CNG does not know or have any relationship whatsoever with one Dr Ibrahim Bello-Dauda, hence, does not recommend or prefer him as VP candidate for the APC,” the group emphasised.

“While a member or affiliate of the CNG may have his PERSONAL OPINION on national issues as guaranteed in the Nigeria’s Constitution, the CNG hereby disassociates itself from such positions and pronouncement.

The group, therefore, called on the various media outfits in the country to always verify the veracity and authenticity of any statement made available to them before going to press.

“We equally advise that journalists should always separate personal opinion of an individual from the collective, official position of the CNG.

“The CNG is resolutely committed to protecting the interest of Northern Nigeria without derailing from its ideals of neutrality, good governance and quality leadership,” the statement added.