Dr. Abdul Jhalil Tafawa Balewa, son of Nigeria’s First Republic Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, said at the weekend that he would contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Balewa condemned plots by the leadership of the party to demoralise other presidential aspirants by endorsing incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole candidate of the party. He also said he would not be intimidated by the decision of the PDP governors and the party.
“What type of democracy do we have? Balewa asked in a statement by the chairman of his campaign group, Taiwo Alao. “Is the PDP a communist party? Where is the place of internal democracy?”
He noted that the greater majority of Nigerians have been yearning for a leadership capable of fulfilling their high expectations and aspirations.
“What Nigerians need and where they want the country to be in future are paramount issues. We need to put our ideas before the people and allow them to decide,” Balewa said encouraging Nigerians to listen to facts.
Promising to make Nigeria an industrialized country, Balewa said his administration would ensure zero unemployment, better education, maximum security and increased power supply.
“Nigeria needs to move from Third World to First world,” he said.
On financial muscle to withstand the pressure of a presidential contest, Balewa insisted that good Nigerians would support him fully.
Dr. Abdul Jhalil was a staunch supporter and campaigner for President Jonathan in 2010.
In the heat of his alleged kidnap, some of Tafawa Balewa’s children came out to disown him saying he was not even a cousin or nephew to them, let alone being their father’s son.
It was believed that Jhalil is from Oyo State and his original name is Jelili. He is yet to deny or confirm the allegations.
