Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State yesterday used the occasion of the flagging off of the N162.9billion Hydro- power Project in Zungeru, by President Goodluck Jonathan to declare that there was no friction between him and the President.
Aliyu was reacting to a purported plan by the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to go after Governors seen to be sympathetic to the plight of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi following the outcome of last Friday’s Governors’ Forum election.
Aliyu declared after announcing three chieftaincy titles, of Mayakin Kontagora, Jagaban Minna, and Dan Hasken Kalgara to Jonathan said “those who are hoping that there is wedge between Niger state government and the president can now swallow their pills”
He said, “Mr President, you are the only Nigerian with goodluck and experience having been a deputy Governor, a Governor, a Vice-President with a PHD. So, if you hear criticisms, it is not because we don’t love you, it is only because we want more; if we don’t make noise, people will not hear us”.
The President, who was accompanied to the occasion by the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, did not make any political statement but stated that the Zungeru project being flagged off was the biggest hydo electric power project embarked upon by his administration.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to revolutionise the power sector and stated that it the reason he beat all the challenges through a roadmap drawn in august 2010 for sector.
While admitting that all the targets in the roadmap have not been fully achieved, Jonathan said his government had exceeded all expectations adding that “this is a project that will really turn the economy around not just in Niger State but indeed the rest of the country.”
