A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dr Abduljhalil Balewa, yesterday said the North is not against the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said the agitation for power shift to the region by some elders cannot stop the President's re-election, adding that Nigerians would determine the fate of the presidential candidates of various parties in 2015.
Balewa, the son of former Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, regretted that certain politicians were encouraging the youths in the region to foment trouble, instead of encouraging the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue.
He said: "Those criticising this government were in governments before. Those who made sure that nothing worked in the past have turned around to criticise Jonathan's government."
Balewa addressed reporters in Lagos on the PDP crisis, Rivers State crisis, national security and North's agitation for power shift.
Noting that any group can clamour for power shift to any region, he said the decision to elect the President lies with the voters.
He said: "In a democracy, everybody has the right of expression. People can say what they want. The Northern Elders' Forum is speaking for the elders' forum. Nigeria is full of ethnic groups. Nigeria is a country of ethnic groups. Anybody can come with suggestions. The voters will determine Nigeria's aspiration in 2015. Nigeria is what we should be talking about; not the North, not the South.
"We should see Nigeria as a republic and move away from the North/South dichotomy. Every Nigerian who is qualified to run, let him run. It is okay for us to agitate for power shift to any part. But the voters will decide. If you convince the electorate, they will vote for you."
