Less than twenty-four hours to the conduct of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s governorship primaries in Adamawa State; some supporters of former EFCC boss Mallam Nuhu Ribadu have opened talks with Dr Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo’s camp.
Also confirmed to be discussing with the former UBEC boss are some of those initially working for the governorship ambition of Awwal Bamanga Tukur, son of the immediate past national chairman of PDP.
It was confirmed that series of meetings and consultations began between Modibbo and the supporters of the two after he returned to Yola from Abuja Friday morning.
This development comes on the heels of Thursday late night meeting of all the aspirants with PDP’s NWC and Senate President David Mark in Abuja, where eight of them including Ribadu and Tukur withdrew from the race.
The supporters most of who will form a large population of delegates at Saturday’s primaries seem to now be in last minutes rush for Modibbo, claiming that they prefer him to Acting Governor Umaru Fintri another noticeable aspirant.
The elected delegates described Modibbo as a mature and surer party man who could be trusted if elected as a governor.
As it stands now, Modibbo and Fintri remain a formidable duo out of the six aspirants that will partake in the primaries to hold at Lamido Cinema Jimeta-Yola,insiders said .
Also, the new supporters said the decision to switch camps and queue behind Modibbo became urgent after the outcome of the Abuja meeting filtered into Adamawa few hours ago.
Mostly, until Thursday this week others were also part of individuals working for Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawus Sawa; James Barka; GAliyu Kama; Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei who have all stepped down.
Drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state, it is believed that the swelling number of the delegates now under Modibbo’s control is capable of springing surprises at the primaries.
Efforts to reach the former university teacher proved abortive as he was said to be attending crucial political meetings.
But his Media Aide, Julius Toba declined to confirm any issue on Ribadu and Tukur, but on Modibbo he said “Such permutations are not strange in politics particularly as the PDP’s primaries election is just a step away. The people know what’s best for Adamawa”
“If that is anything to go by at all, it again tells you the volume of popularity inherent in Dr Modibbo as a grassroots politician and a leader. I think nothing could be more right than the choice of Adamawa people to back Modibbo”.
