Niger State Governor Babanida Aliyu has denied reports that he endorsed Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as presidential candidate, saying he was quoted out of context.

Aliyu, in a statement by his spokesman Israel Ebije, said it is not part of his constitutional duties to anoint anybody as presidential candidate.
The governor said he only wished Governor Lamido well in whatever endeavor he engages in after the completion of his governorship tenure.

“What I told him was to prepare for greater responsibilities. We have a party with a structure and process in place for anybody who wants to go for any position. I respect the wishes and opinions of the governor on whatever he decides to do, but am not asking him to run for president. I did not say what some papers published.  After all, we have a president,” he said.

“Since we refused to leave PDP, people have been working hard to push us out of the party through unfounded insinuations. But we have resolved to remain in the PDP and that is regardless of our position on some issues which we have resolved already.  I am, therefore, strongly of the opinion that the party is stabilizing and in need of good hands. I have pledged to ensure that the PDP is strong and ready with the necessary political goodwill to win elections in 2015.”