North can mobilise against Jonathan in 12 hrs, says Atiku Abubakar

By Mohammed Isa

Former Vice-President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the North has the capacity to, within 12 hours, mobilise against the ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the next year's presidential election.
Atiku, in an interview with an online publication, Economic Confidential, said in spite of its diversity, the North could set aside its differences and unite within hours to pursue its interest.
"There is something I think Nigerians need to know about the North. As diverse as we are, we have the capacity to come together in less than 12 hours," he warned.
He recalled that during the 2003 PDP Convention, the North was able to, within a short time, vote for former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the candidate of the party, against stiff opposition from some state governors and other anti-Obasanjo elements.
"In 2003 convention, it was within few hours that we decided that let us give it to this man within 12 hours, even at the convention ground states were calling to ask; should we still vote for this man or that man? I will say, yes go ahead and vote. So, do not underestimate the capacity of the North to come together within 12 hours," the former vice- president recalled.
He said the zoning arrangement was not an issue of regional interest, but a devise that would bring about unity and stability in the nation and give equal opportunity for all the ethnic groups.
According to him, "zoning provides fair and equitable distribution of power at all levels. It is not something new, it is not something undemocratic and it is not something uncivilised, because western countries practice it, developed democracies like Switzerland, French, Italians and Germans practice it and they rotate their presidency every year.
"Let me ask you a question. Up till now, in this country, whether we like it or not, because of our developmental stage, we vote either based on ethnic, regional or even religious sentiments. They still determine the way our ordinary people vote, because, the bulk of our voters are in rural areas, about 70% of them. So, some ethnic group will never gain power to rule, but with zoning they can."
He described most of those endorsing the candidature of Jonathan as "sycophants", who take delight in every government, saying, "well, you know that most enlightened Nigerians are sycophants, they always go along with anybody in power or in office".
"If there is anything I have prepared my life for it is to make sure that I don't compromise my principles because of patronage. That’s why I make sure I plan and pattern my life to stand up to government and say NO!, to stand up to a dictator and say NO!," Atiku said.

Mr Atiku got it all wrong and it seems to me that he is the sycophant insted of the nigerians he is calling so,if we did not drop the issue of the north and the south ,we can not move ahead reasonably in this country.
Secondly Mr atiku fails to realised that PDP primaries does not necessarily equates presidential elections.