Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, has denied reports that he begged a former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, to convince his deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto and others, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, to return to the Peoples Democratic Party.
The governor dismissed the reports yesterday when the Federation of Advocates for Fair, Credible and Peaceful Election led by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Minna.
Aliyu said it was not unusual to see politicians decamping during electioneering periods, adding that those who defected had the right to do so.
“They said I went to IBB over those who defected. I have passed the stage of begging anybody. Every politician is free to decide on which party he wants to belong to. Let me however plead that nobody should victimize anybody for the political decision they made.
“I have no reason to hate my deputy over his decision to move to the opposition party. We have had a good working relationship since 2007 and it will remain so even after we leave government in May. By now people have made up their minds on the party they will cast their votes for. We must therefore accept the results of the forthcoming elections. Do not be annoyed with your brother based on his new found political interest. Power belongs to God and He chooses whom to give”, Aliyu said.
He also called on politicians not to discriminate or victimize, insisting that politics must be approached without bitterness, and fighting within and outside party platforms should be discouraged.
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