Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said he would back one of the National Congress Party (NCP) leaders in 2020 presidential elections.
“If Ayala runs for president in 2020, I will support him,” Bashir said in a speech on Thursday in Gezira. He also reiterated, last week, his willingness to abdicate his current presidency ending in 2020, and pledged to hand out Sudan to his successor wars-free.
Bashir admitted that the state, which is considered one of the most productive states, didn’t witness the “required development”.
Sudanese president attributed deterioration in Gezira to conflicts among “some political leaders of the state” and their neglect of development process.
“That’s why I chose Mohamed Tahir Ayala to be the governor due to his capability to work and implement service projects,” he declared.
On the background of tense ties between Ayala and some NCP members and leaders, Bashir affirmed that he will continue to be the governor until he is dead or rejected by the people.
According to Bashir, disputes among Gezira leaders undermined the state and failed former governors.
“We had to pave the way to proceed with development and to serve people. This urged us to appoint Ayala as a governor of Gezira, and we tackled all obstacles hindering his path to continue the development.”
These disputes between the governor and his government from one side and the parliament from the other side attribute to accusations of abusing power and taking decision solely without referring to parties' leaders.
Bashir vowed his citizens to support services of drinking water, health care and linking production regions to paved roads. The visit of Bashir to Gezira represents a support to the governor of the state, especially after he declared the emergency state and dissociated the parliament.
Sudan’s budget depends on Gezira through revenues of cotton exports. Citizens held Khartoum responsible for its deterioration and marginalization. Khartoum performed an “intentional destruction” for Gezira Scheme, they said.
