The Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary election is underway with delegates from Sokoto State torn between two major candidates.
Aminu Tambuwal and Attahiru Bafarawa
As members arrive Port-Harcourt, Rivers State venue of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary election, Sokoto State delegates are reportedly torn between two aspirants.
Two aspirants from the state — ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and incumbent governor, Aminu Tambuwal, are among the 13 contenders.
The PUNCH learned from a dependable source that if the two aspirants are able to reach a consensus, it will boost the chance of the consensus aspirant, with a guaranteed block vote from the state’s delegates.
“It would also help in reducing the party’s array of aspirants, at least by one, if the duo buy into the consensus arrangement,” a source said.
While it was mum from the side of Governor Aminu Tambuwal, as his media aide did not pick calls from our correspondent, nor replied to text messages, Bafarawa’s Campaign Organisation spokesman, Yusuf Dingyadi, told a Punch correspondent that there is nothing unusual in the duo’s aspiration, and that it is good for the state.
Dingyadi said, “Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and Governor Aminu Tambuwal are political soul mates with mutual respect for each other; and our prayer goes with them in search of the party’s mandate to rule Nigeria.
“They are both illustrious sons of Sokoto State and their political aspirations cannot divide the people of Sokoto. Their coming out is good because our eggs will not be in one basket.
“This is also a proof that people of Sokoto are determined to change this clueless government.”
Bafarawa and Tambuwal’s paths crossed in 2003, when the defunct ANPP under the leadership of Attahiru Bafarawa, then as Governor of Sokoto State, spotted the potentials in Aminu Tambuwal and handed him the platform to contest the Tambuwal/Kebbe National Assembly seat, after he had lost out in the PDP primary.