news
update
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2011:
Obasanjo plots to upstage Yar’Adua |
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By Yusuf Alli The Nation
Sunday June 14,2009 |
Despite the hold on campaign for 2011,
there were indications that ex-President
Olusegun Obasanjo and some of his
trusted allies in the Peoples Democratic
Party are already oiling their political
machinery to determine who wins the
party's presidential ticket. Analysts
think Obasanjo's fresh plot suggests
that Yar Adua's possible reelection may
not be an easy ride.
But those loyal to President Umaru
Yar'Adua are mapping out strategy to
counter Obasanjo's moves and others
opposed to his re-election.
Investigations by THE NATION revealed
that the spate of reconciliation and
shuttles to some states recently
embarked upon by the ex-President were
aimed at consolidating Obasanjo's
strength in the party.
A highly-placed source, who spoke in
confidence with THE NATION, said: “The
first target of the ex-President is to
put his base (the South-West) in order.
“The ex-President is after the unity of
the PDP in the South-West so that he can
use it as a bargaining power with other
five geopolitical zones when it comes to
2011. “The thinking of Obasanjo and his
loyalists is that once there is a block
vote from the South-West, the
ex-President will have basis for calling
the shots during presidential primaries.
“The issue at stake is beyond the
reconciliation of ex-Governor Rashidi
Ladoja and Governor Bayo Alao-Akala.
Obasanjo is no longer taking things for
granted, he needs a position of strength
to dictate the pace in 2011.
“Already the ex-President still enjoys
full backing of the PDP governors in the
South-West, except Governor Gbenga
Daniel of Ogun State .
The source added that most ex-PDP
governors and some former ministers had
been in regular touch with the former
President on how he can regain the
control of the party machinery during
presidential primaries.
Another source added: “The plot is to
take advantage of Yar'Adua's commitment
to electoral reform and ballot
transparency to checkmate his second
term ticket during primaries.
“Only God knows what some of these
ex-governors have against Yar'Adua but
they are neck deep in anti-second term
campaign. I think a major grouse within
the party hierarchy is that Yar'Adua
does not condone corruption and contract
bazaar.
It was gathered that a major worry of
the Obasanjo's camp is Yar'Adua's firm
grip on the PDP machinery.
The source said: “Through his
strategists, especially the former
Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih,
ex-Governor James Ibori, and Governor
Bukola Saraki of Kwara State , the
President has the party at his beck and
call.
“The key members of the kitchen cabinet
of the President have also been engaging
in covert plan to use the party
machinery effectively to secure a second
term ticket for him.
“It is now left to the President to
confirm his readiness to go for second
term or not. But the incumbent factor is
certainly there for him.”
As for Obasanjo's attempt to regain the
control of the South-West, the source
added: “The former President has more
than a match in the Action Congress. At
worst, the President will be ready to
work with the allies of his late
brother, Tafidan Shehu Musa Yar'Adua who
are in the opposition.”
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