By Emmanuel Bello
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2006

Governor Duke had also told Daily Trust that Obasanjo expects the next president to come from amongst the governors.

But in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Uba Sani, the Presidency said, “we wish to state categorically and in the strongest terms, that the story is false in its entirety. The president, at no time instructed that the search for the next president be restricted to the governors. On the contrary, certain persons have been moving round, telling Nigerians that they have been endorsed by the president for the highest office of the land.”

It continues, “We wish to also reiterate for the umpteenth time, that the president is a true democrat who has devoted the better part of his life to the expansion of the frontiers of democracy. He cannot restrict the choice of the next president to only governors. Even among the governors, few are said to have been chosen. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

The statement further called on all eligible Nigerians to exercise their franchise at all levels in next year’s general elections.
It said, “we call on all eligible Nigerians who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party to step out and aspire for the office of the president. It is their constitutional right. The president is committed to creating a level playing field so that the best candidate can emerge. He is not interested in quick fixes or “power by conspiracy.” He believes in equal opportunities for all.”
On the race, it said, “as the leader of the PDP, the president has been working assiduously to build a party where inclusiveness and participation are the watchwords. He cannot therefore destroy what he has been building by restricting the search for the president to a few Nigerians.”

He outlined the qualities expected of the next president pointing out that “such a person should be able to move to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria canvas-sing for the support of the people. Such a person must come to power with credibility and legitimacy. He or she must have a pact with the Nigerian people.”

A new dimension was added to the presidential race when former military presi-dent Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), ended the long held speculations and picked his nomination form from the ruling PDP.
His entrance, according to findings, has increased the tempo of activities across the country with aspirants beefing up their campaign activities.

Governor Peter Odili and his Cross River counterpart, Donald Duke, have heighte-ned their consultations across the nation.
In the North, Governor Ahmed Sani of Zamfara state has also continued with outreaches, even as he assured his supporters that the charges from the EFCC would not truncate his ambition.

Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also bidding his time with speculations rife that he may opt out of the presidential contest.
In a press interview during the weekend, he said that the presidency is not “every-thing” to him, noting that he would soon address the nation on his intention.

Former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and formerNational Security Adviser (NSA), General Aliyu Gusau (rtd), are yet to pick the nomination forms to vie for the presidency.
Buhari’s supporters believe that the Katsina born general has what it takes to win the elections on the basis of his track records in credibility and accountability.

It would be recalled that the issue of a consensus candidate from the North cropped up recently with leaders of thought in the region weighing all the options available to it.

The entry of Babangida may increase the debate on the need for a candidate whom the region could rally round.