Former Presidents of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as well as erstwhile former Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo is some of the eminent dignitaries gathered at the Lamido Fombina Palace, 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 Muhmmadu Buhari is represented 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, PDP and a political associate of the celebrant, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
As early as 8.00AM local time, men of the Nigerian Police and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC team up to control the flow of traffic to and from the Yola residence of the PDP Presidential flag bearer.
Already seated for the big event are Senate 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 Alibi amongst others.
Those present at the meeting said Mr Obasanjo showered praises on Atiku Abubakar, his previously estranged vice president with whom he had reconciled since becoming the candidate of Nigeria’s main opposition party for the 2019 presidential election.
Mr Obasanjo, president between 1999 and 2007, reportedly recounted his ordeal at the Yola Prisons following his incarceration by the military junta of Sani Abacha in the 1990s.
Mr Obasanjo said Yola Prisons and the Lamido’s palace were only separated by a wall. It was a remarkable moment, said Paul Ibe, a spokesperson for Mr Abubakar who was present at the event.
Mr Ibe told newsmen Mr Obasanjo assured the Lamido of Adamawa that Mr Abubakar would not disappoint “when he becomes president” in 2019
“He said Atiku Abubakar would do his job with dignity, integrity and honour,” Mr Ibe said.
Shortly after the meeting, Messrs Obasanjo, Jonathan and Abubakar then rode in the same bus with some governors to the home of Mr Abubakar for lunch, it was learnt.
