Tafawa Balewa’s son withdraws from presidential contest, pledges support for Jonathan

Son of a former Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Jhalil on Thursday said he has withdrawn his intention to run for the Presidential primary election on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and hence pledged his support for the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jhalil Tafawa Balewa stated this in Abuja, during a press conference organised by the foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

Balewa's statement laid credence to an earlier statement made by Clark that he has succeeded in intervening to make peace between Jhalil and President Jonathan.

"I wish to inform you that I have succeeded in intervening to make peace between two of my sons, Jhalil Tafawa Balewa and Goodluck Jonathan. Jhalil Tafawa Balewa had indicated his intention to contest the presidential primaries on the platform of the PDP against the decision of the party to give President Jonathan the right of first refusal. Unfortunately this issue was to generate unnecessary public distraction as detractors jumped to capitalise on it to make unfounded commentaries.

"The relationship between Jhalil and Jonathan dates back to 2005 when the latter was the deputy governor of Bayelsa State. The same relationship continued in Abuja, when Jonathan became the President. In deference to their old ties, Jhalil, has formally withdrawn his aspiration to contest the presidential election in the 2015 general elections," the elder statesman told a press conference.

On the fee paid for expression of interest form by Jhalil, Clark said it was a sacrifice for friendship.

Meanwhile, Chief Clark condemned in strong terms the attitudes of some governors, who by all means want to go into the Senate and others, who insist on nominating their successors, adding that such act forced a skewed electoral process right from the party primaries.

"This is most undemocratic and unacceptable as it defies all known democratic ethos and culture. Our political climate is flooded with gullible characters, anybody given assignment by the party becomes a pawn in the palms of these 'super' governors to do only their bid to the detriment of the entire political process", Clark added.

We as Nigerians must do everything within our powers to ensure the preservation and deepening of our democratic practice. We must put a finite stop to the kangaroo democracy governors are presently practicing out of desperation," the elder statesman added.

Source: Faith's blog