The leadership of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has denied being a party to the reported endorsement of Dr Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed as northern presidential consensus candidates of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
The Director, Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the entire process to produce the consensus candidates did not involve the Forum.
Baba-Ahmed issued a statement to that effect saying: “It has become necessary to address the impression created in part by mischief, and in part by genuine confusion over the role of the convener of Northern Elders Forum, in the efforts to create consensus among four aspirants for the Presidential ticket of the PDP.
“The idea to attempt to engineer a consensus among the aspirants was that of the aspirants themselves. Governors Aminu W Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed, former Senate President A.B. Saraki and Malam Mohammed Hayatudeen had informed (former military president, Gen Ibrahim) Badamasi Babangida of their intention, and requested elderly intervention and advise in the event that their efforts failed to produce consensus.
“Ex-) President Babangida, in turn, requested Professor Ango Abdullahi in his individual capacity to design and manage a process that could improve a consensus agreement among the four aspirants.
“Professor Ango Abdullahi concluded that assignment and released a detailed report and recommendation, signing it in his individual capacity.
“It is important to make clear that the entire process did not involve the Northern Elders Forum as a group, and is not a product of the group. Professor Ango Abdullahi is free to undertake any lawful activity as a citizen, and genuine misinterpretations of his role are understandable.
“Northern Elders Forum is not affiliated to any political party or aspirant, and is strongly committed to the creation of a level playing field which will allow the emergence of the best leaders in the 2023 elections. It has also remained consistent in its conviction that all parts of the country should play their parts freely, unhindered by restrictions which offend principles of inclusion and fairness. The Forum believes the North has excellent candidates whose fate should be left to party delegates and voters to decide.