How Tambawul Removed The Carpet From Wike’s Feet To Enthrone Abubakar

Chuks Okocha captures the intrigues that gave the Peoples Democratic Party presidential ticket to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and ensured the defeat of Governor Nyesom Wike

The victory of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend in Abuja did not happen by a stroke of luck. Rather, it was a well articulated decision by Northern stakeholders to retain power by having another Northerner after eight years of President Mohammadu Buhari.

The intrigues

The game changer was the governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and others that discretely stepped down for Atiku before voting started at the presidential nomination convention.

Before the convention kicked off, there were series of horse trading that swung the tide in favour of the former Vice President. Top northern stakeholders of the PDP had weighed on the two governors: Tambuwal and his counterpart from Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed. Both men were presidential aspirants, as well as, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen

On Thursday and Friday preceding the convention, it was already clear that some of the Northern presidential aspirants would step down for Abubakar. Whereas, the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike was seen as buying delegates, Atiku and the northern establishment were plotting how presidential aspirants would step down for the chosen one.

The calculation was that the Sokoto state governor should step down for Atiku to enable him focus on the Sokoto south senatorial seat. The incumbent senator, Senator Danbaba who sensed the hand writing on the wall had defected to the APC, to enable him face Tambuwal at the senatorial election.

The issue was when will the governor announce his stepping and it was agreed that it should be at the venue of the presidential nomination convention. The aim was that it will douse the already electrified support of Wike.

On the other hand, Bala Mohammed had refused to step down for Abubakar, insisting that he would fight to the end, which he did. However, he discretely asked his delegates to vote Atiku

Though, the investment banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen was prevailed upon to step down, he however chose to do it in his own way by blaming it on the excessive display of money by his fellow aspirants. He dropped his letter of resignation from the presidential race barely hours to the commencement of the convention.

The position of the PDP northern stakeholders was masterminded by the former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau and the former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa.

At the convention venue when all the presidential aspirants had spoken for the allotted five minutes, that they were allowed to speak to the delegates and the voting was about to commence, Tambuwal mounted the rostrum and there was complete silence. The environment was so quiet that one could have heard the drop of a pin.

Every one was anxious to hear what he wanted to say. The timing was perfect. This was because it dwarfed the noisy supporters of Wike who were still dancing and jubilating after his five minutes address to the delegates. Then, came the clincher, the Sokoto state governor picked the microphone and announced his withdrawal from the race.

He equally urged his supporters among the delegates to vote for the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar. Many were surprised because Wike stood by him in 2018 when he contested and came second.

According to him. “Time has come for us to make sacrifices in the interest of our party and our nation. I have come to the conclusion that I have to step down

“Having consulted so many people across the country, the time has come to make the sacrifice for the good of the country and the party and also to minimize rancour and justle for power among aspirants. I have come to conclusion to step down from the race. I urge my supporters to vote for Atiku Abubakar.”

On his own part, Governor Bala Mohammed, though had refused to withdraw, sent words round to his coordinators that they should vote for Atiku.

That was all that was needed to break Wike’s supporters. At the convention, Wike was sure that he will carry the day. In fact, when he entered the indoor sports complex of the MKO Abiola Stadium, his supporters were uncontrollably noisy. The situation almost got out of hand, when he went round to acknowledge greetings from the delegates