* Obasanjo, Jonathan, Saraki, govs storm Yola for event
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and erstwhile Vice President Namadi Sambo are among the dignitaries that joined PDP state governors at the Palace of Lamido Fombina in Yola, venue of the Turbaning ceremony of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the 7th Waziri Adamawa by his Royal Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammadu Aliyu Barkindo Mustapha, the Lamido of Adamawa.
President Muhammadu Buhari is represented at the ceremony by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammed Belly.
The palace located in the heart of the ancient city, is brimming with a huge crowd of people made up of politicians, traditional rulers, military and paramilitary personnel, local musicians, vendors of various items and more.
One of the early callers at the Lamido’s Palace is the former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and a political associate of the celebrant, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. As early as 8.00am, Police and Federal Road Safety Commission personnel had taken up positions to control the flow of traffic to and from the Yola home of the PDP presidential flag bearer.
Already seated for the big event are Senate, Dr. President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, two-time governor of Kano state, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Walid Justin, Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo, Seriake Dickson and Darius Ishaku of Gombe, Bayelsa and Taraba states respectively.
Others include former Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah, ex- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, the lawmaker representing Bayelsa East, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, immediate past governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu among others.
Obasanjo, at the meeting, reportedly showered praises on Atiku Abubakar, his previously estranged vice president with whom he had reconciled since becoming the candidate of the main opposition party for the 2019 presidential election.
Obasanjo, president between 1999 and 2007, reportedly recounted his ordeal at the Yola Prisons following his incarceration by the military junta of Gen. Sani Abacha in the 1990s.
According to sources, Obasanjo said Yola Prison and Lamido’s palace were only separated by a wall. It was a remarkable moment, a spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar camp was quoted as saying.
The sources continued that Obasanjo assured Lamido Adamawa that his former vice (Atiku Abubakar) would not disappoint “when he becomes president” in 2019.
“He said Atiku Abubakar would do his job with dignity, integrity and honour,” it was learnt.
Shortly after the meeting, Obasanjo, Jonathan and Atiku Abubakar rode in the same bus with some governors to the home of the presidential candidate for lunch, it was further learnt.
