Labaran Maku: still hopes to be Nasarawa state governor

He has lost the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party. The Labour Party flatly denied that he has been adopted as its candidate in the central Nigerian state of Nasarawa.

But Mr Labaran Maku, the former Minister of Information signalled today that he is not dead politically.

Without mentioning his new political platform, the former deputy governor of the state said that his ambition to become the governor of Nasarawa State come 2015 is still on course.

Maku stated this while addressing members of different ethnic groups that paid him Christmas visit in his country home, Wakama, in Akun Development Area of the state.

He said that no amount of intimidation from any group would stop him from becoming the governor of the state in 2015.

“It is the people of the state that called me to contest for governorship seat in order to rescue them and bring peace to the state, and I have answered their calls.

“But what went on in the primaries of our party the PDP, was uncalled for and everybody is aware of that.

“I want to tell you that there is no going back on my gubernatorial ambition come 2015.

“Those who are thinking that my political ambition is stunted should start having a rethink, my 2015 governorship ambition is still on course.

“I want to call on you to continue to support me and vote for me during the 2015 general election.

“When the victory comes, we will all celebrate together and I want to advise you not to give up on my 2015 gubernatorial ambition but to preach my gospel for governorship,” Maku said

He called on Christians, to use the Christmas period to pray for peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic, religious and political groups in the state and the country at large.

The former minister said that no nation progresses in an atmosphere of rancour and crisis, noting that the security challenges facing the state and the country, has negatively affected human lives and the socio-economic development of the country.

Maku urged the people, especially the youths, to be law abiding, respect constituted authority and engage in meaningful ventures in order to be self reliant.

He said that this would enable the country to experience speedy development.

Earlier, Mr Francis Namo, who spoke on behalf of the different groups, said that they were in Maku’s house to felicitate and celebrate with him on the occasion of Christmas.

He assured the former minister of their continued support in his bid to become the next governor of the state.

The different ethnic groups that visited him include Eggon, Alago, Mada, Hausa-Fulani, among others.