We Didn’t Form G7 Governors To Defect To Another Party, Says Gov. Aliyu

Rebel-governors-360x225Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and self-acclaimed leader of the now defunct group of seven aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors also known as G7, has explained that the group was created to reform the ruling party and not to defect.

Aliyu, who made this known when the International Federation of Women Lawyers, led by its Country Vice President, Barrister Hauwa Shekarau, paid him a courtesy visit at the government house, Minna, insisted that he would remain in the party and asked that his wish be respected.

He said, “Let me seize this opportunity because I kept on reading some people in the national dailies and for the benefit of those who may not understand why I led the so-called G7. We formed the group as a result of a reform that we are looking for in our party. The idea was not to leave our party but to reform it.

“Along the line, some people find it more expedient to leave the party – that is their choice and I respect that. Those of us who feel that, if you want a reform and you want to do it within, I think our views should be respected. People must not go and play politics in whatever form where it creates more problems.

“For us in Niger State, we welcomed the development of two-party system rather than having so many parties that will end up creating political prostitute, but you have two parties at least. You know how it is complete. And I am seizing this opportunity because there are lots of misinformation out there.

On the major reason why they constituted themselves into the G7 Governors, Aliyu said, “the idea was that we saw some actions that were happening and some people were taking the success of the PDP that has been in power since 1999 for granted.

“There was a need to make people understand that you cannot take people’s support for granted. And you need really to reinvigorate it, so that it comes back to be properly accepted by the people”.