A coalition of youth groups in the north, the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), yesterday alleged that some powerful northerners were the masterminds of a plot to cause disaffection between President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo.
AYF national president Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, stated during an interview with journalists in Kaduna, that though Sambo presided over a recent meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the North-West zone, the objective of the meeting was carefully maneuvered by the vice-president’s? antagonists in the region to cause a political impasse.
The AYF boss further reminded stakeholders that unless those contending for the return of power to the north forget their ambitions for now and join forces to see that the appropriate steps are put in place for the growth and development of the region, the north would continue to remain backward throughout the current dispensation.
He also acknowledged that the youth groups in the North were at the venue of the meeting to show solidarity to the federal government and welcome Sambo home. But he? faulted the? statement credited to another group called Sambo Project, which said that the activities of the group left much to be desired.
The AYF further claimed that it was? mischievous? for some people to claim that Sambo had already kick-started his campaign for 2015 in Kaduna, saying? that? the goal of? Jonathan and Sambo was to utilise the tenure and push Nigeria to positive heights.
He said that there were initial alleged clandestine moves by some Northern powerful groups in the north against the presidency in 2015, adding, however, that? such moves were now very apparent through their advocacy activities and pronouncements.
He said: “We shall soon expose them. We wonder why the sudden u- turn that Sambo was perfecting plans to occupy the villa in 2015.? We believe that such was the handiwork of
?He has said it times without number that they are poised to restore electric power, revive industries and add value to the life of Nigerians. We should rally round them for Nigeria to be great.
“We were in touch with the Sambo Project which was said to have mounted a campaign for the vice- president during the PDP meeting in Kaduna; the group denied embarking on such a campaign and blamed it on the intruders who do not wish the president and Sambo well.
“The AYF is of the opinion that Sambo is 100 per cent loyal to his boss and has, within the period, displayed his skills of being? an able deputy who has never allowed the quest for power to becloud his sense of reasoning.
“This is the time for all northerners and Nigerians in general to pray and support Jonathan and Sambo. The time to embark on projects that will bring unity across the board and enhance harmonious co-existence. Doing anything else will not augur well for national development.”