Aideloje Ojo
Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday revealed how he was punished by the Presidency for leading the group of seven governors against the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that became known as G7 Governors.
Addressing the Minister of State for Agriculture, Hajiya Asabe Asma’u Mohammed, who paid him a courtesy call, the governor stated that the Presidency, through the Ministry of Aviation, denied Niger state the approval to operate Airport Cargo Zone in Minna.
He said the federal government wielded the big stick against him by clamping down on the proposed cargo zone even when other states that did not apply for such zones, but were not among the G7, were given express approvals.
Aliyu said the initial intention of G7 was not to run away from the PDP, adding, “That was why I said no when my colleagues decided to leave the party.”
He said there was the need for the Presidency to correct what he called unnecessary punishment of the governors involved but did not run away from the PDP.
He decried the situation in the nation’s politics whereby the hammer was let loose on anyone that disagreed on issues.
The governor mandated the minister of state to liaise with the aviation ministry to re-open the Minna Airport Cargo case file, adding, “Cargo Zone in Minna will contribute immensely to the economic development of Niger state and the entire country.”
