Politics
My Aspiration, Not Do-or Die Affair -Bafarawa
Former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa says his aspiration for the presidency is not a do-or-die affair but borne out of the desire to render selfless service.
Bafarawa, a presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said this yesterday in an interview with The Tide’s source in Enugu.
He was in Enugu as part of his consultation to clinch the party ticket for the presidency.
The former governor said that his motivation to contest was borne out of his displeasure on the state of affairs in the country, adding that his presidency would truly unite Nigeria.
“I am disturbed with the way and manner the country is and my priority will be to bring unity in the country,” he said.
Bafarawa said that he would rather document all his programmes of actions rather than making promises such that if he won, Nigerians could easily refer to his position during campaign.
“I have a written manifesto and will not promise what I cannot do. My word is my bond,” he said.
The presidential aspirant said that he would run an inclusive administration, adding that every part of the country would be integral parts of his government.
He said that he would not only handover to a president of Igbo extraction if he got elected in 2019 but would get the Igbo fully involved.
“If I win, I will go with the Igbo from the first day. There is no question of what I will do for the South East because it will be their government,” he said.
Bafarawa said that he had offered himself as the bridge between Nigeria’s aspirations and the goals of her nationhood.
He said that the reality on ground portrayed Nigeria as having departed from the dreams of her founding fathers.
“It is rather sad that these cherished values have often been jettisoned on the altar of sentiments and selfish motives.
“As a long term player in local and international economic and political relations, I have garnered enough experiences and exposure to provide the requisite leadership for Nigeria, he said.
He said that his administration would implement policies that would strengthen the drive to achieve true federalism in the country.
“Since inception, the country has organised several forums to discuss Nigeria as a country and the relationships of the federating units.
“Although very robust and patriotic discourses were held and recommendations made, none of the reports or recommendations of the various conferences have been implemented.
“My administration will dust all the findings and reports of all the national conferences with a view to extrapolating those aspects that are consistent with our aspirations,” he said.
Bafarawa said that he was not perturbed by the number of presidential aspirants in the PDP, adding “I am a democrat and ready to support the party”.
He predicted that before the next election cycle, Abia’s political landscape would witness broken alliances, surprising mergers, and new contenders emerging from within established networks.
Prophet Arogun concluded with a broader appeal to Nigeria’s political leaders, emphasizing the need for justice, peace, and integrity in public governance.
“Nigeria is the assignment. Only righteousness will stabilize this nation. Only fairness will preserve the mandate. Let those who have ears hear”, he said softly.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
