PDP Primaries: I Have A Chance – Gusau

ABUJA, Sept 20, (THEWILL) - The immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Alhaji Aliyu Gusau, said today that he would have an impressive outing in the fast approaching presidential primaries of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Gusau, who resigned his appointment on Thursday to contest the presidential election said he is on a familiar turf having contested the presidential primaries in 2007 along with late president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The politician who displayed high confidence during a chat with newsmen at the Presidential Villa also explained that his entry into the race where President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Ibrahim Babangida’s are also running showed a demonstration of how democracy works.

"I had contested before and I lost the primaries and I consider that now that I have a chance, I will give it a shot again. This is democracy and that is to show you how democracy works. If you go to England, you find Ed Milliband and David Milliband, of same parents, contesting against each other," he said.

"We will go there and I can’t say I am going to lose. Because I was there before I know how rough it was."

Meanwhile President Jonathan has formally accepted Mr. Gusau’s resignation as NSA.

A statement from the Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro acknowledged that Gusau’s resignation takes effect from today September 20, 2010.

The statement reads: "President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has accepted the resignation of the National Security Adviser, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Mohammed (rtd.)

"Lt.-Gen. Mohammed had in a letter to President Jonathan dated Thursday, September 16, 2010, informed the President of his desire to play an active part in the 2011 electoral process.

"Consequently, he requested the President’s permission to vacate the Office of National Security Adviser.

"His resignation takes effect from today, Monday, September 20, 2010."