Sunday, September 21, 2014
The development follows the recent endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by GovernorSule Lamido of Jigawa State.
Governor Lamido reportedly dropped his presidential ambition and endorsed Jonathan at the National Executive Committee (NEC), meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held a few days ago.
His action is said to have made Obasanjo unhappy having made preparation to present him as an aspirant to contest the PDP presidential primary with President Jonathan on December 6. The former president a source said has not switched gear to support Tambuwal.
Tambuwal is believed to be nursing a yet-to-be -declared presidential ambition, which could see him challenge President Good;luck Jonathan in 2015.
The Speaker had flagged off consultations in recent months and had met leaders, including Obasanjo, and former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Sources told the our correspondent that when Tambuwal visited Obasanjo at his Abeokuta Hilltop mansion recently, the former President was unequivocal in his support for the Speaker.
The former President was quoted assaying “Tambuwal, go ahead and contest the presidency in 2015. I am behind you.”
Though the Speaker’s spokesman,Mallam Imam Imam, has insisted that the Speaker is still consulting over his ambition come 2015, the Speaker’s body language appears to be tilting towards presidential contest on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was also confirmed that the Speaker had recently consulted Babangida and former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, on the way forward in 2015.
Sources however confirmed that only Obasanjo gave an express permit to Tambuwal, while the two other leaders were cautious and prayerful.
Reports had indicated recently that Tambuwal was set to declare for the 2015 election on the platform of the APC.
The Speaker, a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), is however yet to
announce his defection to the opposition APC.
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