2015: Associates launch Lamido/Amaechi campaign

Indications emerged on Thursday that plans are truly in the pipeline to ensure that the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido and his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, secure a joint ticket for the 2015 presidential election.
Although both Lamido and Amaechi have consistently denied such moves,  recent happenings in the North-West zone point to the contrary, as secret political meetings are being held just as campaign materials are being prepared.
One of our correspondents in Kaduna gathered that some political heavyweights in the North-West geopolitical zone have taken the campaign upon themselves to ensure the success of the Lamido/Ameachi ticket.
A source close to a prominent Peoples Democratic Party governor in a North-West state, but declined be recorded for fear of persecution, said, “The choice of Lamido and Ameachi is based on their performances and national appeal.”
Saturday PUNCH also gathered that Jigawa State has become a Mecca of sorts for politicians from across the country, who are working day and night to perfect the project.
It was also learnt that the state governor is “currently making consultations” over the matter.
The source stated that as part of the project, the recruitment of coordinators had begun and “soon vehicles for campaign will be distributed to coordinators nationwide.”
One of our correspondents sighted a branded Honda saloon car popularly called ‘End-of-Discussion’ with a Lamido/Ameachi 2015 portrait on the ever-busy Muhammadu Buhari Way (formerly Whaf Road), Kaduna, on Thursday.
Some of those in support of the project argue that Lamido’s ambition was partly responsible for the current travails of his first son, Aminu, who is undergoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Another source, who craved anonymity said, “There is no smoke without fire on the Lamido/Ameachi joint ticket for the 2015 presidency.
“These are two governors seen as radicals but with a cause and whose performances are there for all to see.
“Some top politicians within the North-West zone have taken the campaign upon themselves on behalf of Lamido/Ameachi, believing that the two of them are governors that have performed and that have national appeal. These people are those behind the campaign for now.
“I can tell you that the Jigawa governor is consulting with those that matter politically. I have seen politicians from all walks of life visiting him for consultations.
“For example, a governorship aspirant in Kaduna State and an ex-Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly have been coming here on consultations with the governor on the matter.
“The fact the he is today one of the oldest politicians in the country is there; he is well connected, exposed, mature and tested.
“So, I believe by the grace of God, when the time comes, he will make his intention known after the ongoing consultations.”
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, said he had not seen any of the campaign materials, adding that it was most likely that political jobbers who were seeking relevance were flying the kite.
He said, “I have not seen any of those things. Governor Lamido and Amaechi may not even be aware of these things; so, you cannot accuse them of starting a campaign they know nothing about.
“It is just like what a faceless group tried to do with the President in January when they printed and pasted posters. These are all just the handiwork of political jobbers.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for Lamido, Alhaji Umar Kyari, said it was too early for anyone to link his boss with the presidential election.
He said, “We are just in the first quarter of 2013 and people are already talking about 2015.
“His Excellency, the governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, is in Jigawa, concentrating on repairing the damage done to our state by the previous administration.
“As for his posters and other things you spoke about, we are not aware. His Excellency is not behind it, he is a loyal party man. We are in the era of politics, people can say anything.
“If you recall, he once said if out of 150 million people, his name is being mentioned in the political arena, it means he is making an impact.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Mr. David Iyofor, insisted that his boss does not have any presidential ambition.
Iyofor told one of our correspondents in Port Harcourt on Thursday that his principal, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, was not nursing a presidential ambition.
He explained that Amaechi was concentrating on his responsibility of developing the state and was not involved in any plot to become the vice-president in 2015.
The governor’s aide said his boss knew nothing about posters or photographs linking him (Amaechi) to any presidential candidate.
Iyofor said, “He (governor) has said that many times; that he was focused on the task of developing the state. The governor has no presidential ambition for 2015.
“This issue has continued to come up, but the truth is that he (Amaechi) has no presidential ambition and does not know anything about the photos linking him to any political office in 2015.”
The governor’s aide recalled that even President Goodluck Jonathan had debunked insinuations that Amaechi was nursing an ambition to become the next vice-president of the country.
National headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party declined comment on the issue.