By Peter Duru
The endorsement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the Northern consensus candidate for next year’s presidential election has been hailed by PDP stalwarts and prominent Benue indigenes.

Frontline politician and caretaker chairman of the PDP in Plateau State, Chief Abu King Shuluwa who spoke to newsmen on phone from Abuja eulogised the Adamu Ciroma- led committee for its foresight in the choice of Atiku whom he described as a shrewd politician with the prerequisite experience to rule the country.

Shuluwa noted that the Former Vice President is a detribalised Nigerian who believed in equity and justice, stressing that he would make the desired impact in the lives of Nigerians if elected next year.

He said: “Atiku Abubakar is an astute politician and a detribalised Nigerian who has made a mark in the politics of Nigeria.

“His emergence as the Northern consensus candidate goes to show that Nigerians can trust him to deliver on his promises to better their lot by placing the country on the pedestal of faster socio-economic growth”, Shuluwa added.

While commending the maturity exhibited by the other aspirants for accepting the decision in good faith and for putting the Northern interest above their personal interests, Chief Shuluwa appealed for their support to realize the dream of a northern President in 2011.

Speaking in the same vein, a former Special Assistant to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former AC gubernatorial candidate in Benue State in 2007 Mr. Shima Ayati observed that by selecting Atiku, the North has right the wrong and injustice meted to him by the past administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ayati urged Nigerians to throw their weight behind the Former Vice President whom he described as the face of a modern and prosperous Nigeria.