Anxiety is growing among ministers from the North as the campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan moves to the region from today (Monday), investigation has revealed.
The Peoples Democratic Party has so far held rallies in the South-West (except Ondo) and south- eastern states since it inaugurated its campaign in Lagos on January 8.
This week, the party is scheduled to hold its presidential campaigns in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Gusau, Kano, Dutse, Bauchi, Makurdi and Maiduguri.
A minister, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the growing anxiety among his colleagues from the North was a result of the fact that they were not sure of the kind of reception that would be accorded the President and the party leadership during the rallies in the region.
He attributed the fear to the campaign of hate, which he said, the opposition had successfully spread against the President in that part of the country.
This, he further said, had led to a wide acceptability of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in the area.
He said, “We know that we ministers will be held responsible for the success or failure of the rallies in our region. We are also aware that we are going to be assessed based on the success recorded by our colleagues from the South-West and South-East who have, with all sincerity, put up good performances.
“In our region, there is currently a campaign of hate against the PDP and all that it represents. Majority of these claims are untrue but unfortunately, they are gaining ground.
“Have you not heard one of our governors in the region saying it publicly that the PDP members in his state are afraid to campaign for their candidates openly? Is that supposed to be so?”
The minister however said he and his colleagues would not spare any efforts aimed at ensuring the success of the rallies that would start today in Sokoto and Birni Kebbi, despite all odds.
Our correspondent further learnt that to achieve this, the ministers from the North had been holding strategic meetings with Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Apart from the success of the rallies, it was learnt that how to woo enough voters for the President in the North, despite the glaring hostilities, had formed part of discussions at such meetings.
Ministers from states where there are no PDP governors are taking charge of preparation for the rallies which will take the President to Jos, Ilorin, Lafia, Yola, Jalingo and Kaduna next week.
