Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, yesterday, alleged that over 400 northerners may have betrayed the region after collecting money to back President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term. Aliyu threatened that the list of the traitors will soon be published for all to see.

The governor, who spoke while paying tribute to the late Emir of Minna, Alhaji Ahmadu Bahago, at the 25th anniversary of the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umaru Faruk Bahago, said the North was not afraid ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

“We hear people who say they have a list of over 400 northerners they are going to settle, and they are sure that if they settle the 400, everything will be okay. We are looking for that list so that we will tell the people that these are the people that want to betray you. This sense of betrayal by the northerners has festered into a groundswell of mistrust”, he said.

“I must advise all of us to be conversant with the happenings in our country. We must be cautious that, through the ballot paper, we can always determine who becomes our leader in Nigeria. By God’s grace, plenty good things will happen in 2015. Whoever God brings we will follow. Do not be afraid, let there be 200 candidates, God will allow only one candidate to emerge.”

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, and Ambassador Hassan Adamu.

•Excerpted from Sunday Vanguard. Photo shows Governor Aliyu.