Saraki, Bafarawa, Dankwambo go to the hilltop to stop Buhari
News & Trends •
a day after saraki left abeokuta gombe governor ibrahim dankwambo also came knocking at obasanjos hilltop home along with a retinue of aides. the two-term governor and former accountant-general of the nigerian federation is the latest declarant for the highest position in the land1 presidential aspirants in the peoples democratic party such as attahiru bafarawa ibrahim dankwambo and senate president bukola saraki appear to be competing for the endorsement of retired leaders of nigeria hopping from minna to abeokuta where coincidentally the ex-leaders have their homes on the hilltop1 senate president saraki who is still coy about his presidential ambition was the second among the latter group to join the endorsement train to the hilltops when he visited former military president general ibrahim babangida on wednesday 8 august1 former governor of sokoto bafarawa had beaten him to the front seat when he visited obasanjo on sunday 5 august. as he confessed he had learnt from obasanjo leadership school in the past a lesson that made him to save about n11.5 billion in his state which he bequeathed to his successor. he came to learn more as he hoped to clinch the pdp presidential ticket to square up to incumbent president muhammadu buhari in next years february election1 obasanjo who considers himself probably the best leader nigeria ever had even gave his guest some extra leadership lessons. he charged bafarawa to strengthen the leadership qualities he identified in him including humility diligence selflessness and lack of discrimination1 on monday saraki surfaced in abeokuta to meet former president olusegun obasanjo who has floated his own party and has turned himself into a rallying force for anti-muhammadu buhari politicians. cornered by media men on the purpose of the visit he dropped a not too-honest excuse. he said he came to see the grand olusegun obasanjo presidential library which was formally opened last year1 you know i missed the official opening of the library and that is why i have decided to come and see the place and honestly it is beautiful. we are very proud of what he has done here he said1 only one pdp presidential aspirant has made a distinctive difference adding former president goodluck jonathan to his endorsement itinerary. the others have made minna and abeokuta hilltop palaces their favourite destinations1 in minna on monday night general ibrahim babangida also hosted another presidential aspirant attahiru bafarawa former governor of sokoto state. bafarawa visited obasanjo last week with the former leader urging him to improve on his leadership weaknesses1 obasanjosaid atiku should never count on his support1 i know atiku very well. and i have mentioned my position with atiku. my position has not changed he said1 on a personal note he added if my children are getting married he has sent representatives. if his children are getting married i have sent representatives. that is social. that is not political1 but on political ground my position has not changed. if i support atiku for a political office other than the one i supported him in the past when i did not know him maybe but not now that i know him god will not forgive me1 since 4 august came out openly to disrupt atikus campaign campaign activities and footworks have slowed down a bit1