2019 Presidency: Where Does Jonathan, IBB, Obasanjo Stand?

Former Presidents, in all democracies are seen more or less as kingmakers. Any candidate they anoint is believed to be the strongest candidate. In developed democracies like the US, UK, France and others, when a former president or prime minister speaks about a candidate running for office, they leave their people in no doubt as to who their choice is.

Can we, therefore, say the same about past Nigerian leaders? During the weekend, the campaign train of Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State, stopped in Minna, Niger state to seek the blessing of former military President Ibrahim Babangida (IBB). The governor, who is seeking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 election, solicited the support of the elder statesman and Babangida gave Tambuwal his blessings.

During the visit, Babangida endorsed him and said the agenda of the aspirant can transform the country.

IBB described Tambuwal as a “grounded leader”, who has the requisite experience and capacity to take Nigeria to the next level.

“You are a bright leader and from my observation, your team is also bright. Every leader needs a strong, bright team in other to succeed. And I assure you of my blessings. I will keep on monitoring you to know how you are doing on this project. I will call you where I see a need to guide or redirect you, should you take steps are contrary to the overall interest of the people and unity of Nigeria.”

But weeks before the former speaker, House of Representatives’ visit, former governor of Kaduna state and immediate past caretaker committee chairman of the PDP, Ahmed Makarfi paid a similar visit to Babangida at his residence, on August 4.

The former president had also endorsed him and said Makarfi restored his hope of a new Nigeria.

“I was almost losing hope in the country, as a military man I wouldn’t. But having heard from the distinguished senator, I have become more enlightened and emboldened to say we have hope in Nigeria,” he had said

“Without fear or favour, you have made my day. We need a new narrative in this country. We can’t go on like we used to. We need an articulated vision of a new Nigeria. I am not surprised that you give such a narrative of the country. You did well in the legislature and you handled well one of the most civilised and sophisticated states in Nigeria.

IBB had also thrown his weight behind Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa state, when he paid him a visit on August 14. He said with Lamido in the saddle, Nigeria will be great again.

“Sule, Nigeria will be great with you as its president because you are a student of late Malam Aminu Kano, who saw and perceived life as the struggle for the emancipation of the common man. Nigeria needs a new leadership because the current leadership lost focus, vision, courage to lead Nigeria to the promise land,”

Most of the 12 presidential aspirants of the PDP have visited IBB, though the details of his discussions with some of them were not made public. Some suggest he could have blessed them in private.

Some of the PDP Presidential aspirants that have had private sessions with IBB includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Senate President David Mark, amongst others.

Similarly, Former President Goodluck Jonathan has hosted Presidential aspirants and endorsed them.

Saraki had in late August, before declaring his presidential ambition, met with the former President Goodluck at his Maitama, Abuja residence as part of his consultations towards his next political move ahead of 2019 elections. Few weeks before their meeting, he had also paid similar visit to two former Presidents namely, Olusegun Obasanjo, at his Abeokuta home and Babangida, at his Hilltop residence in Minna.

But since declaring for president, he is yet to formally meet these former leaders. This may mean that he already got their support before going public with his ambition.

But Jonathan overtly endorsed the presidential ambition of Saraki’s Predecessor, Senator David Mark when the former Senate President visited him in his Yenagoa residence last Sunday.

“As President of Nigeria, I worked harmoniously with Mark as President of the Senate. He demonstrated patriotism and loyalty to his fatherland. His colleagues admitted that he is a detribalized leader. He is the kind of man the nation needs now,” Jonathan had said. But does this mean he will support Mark at the PDP Convention?

Atiku did not get an outright endorsement when he visited Jonathan in Bayelsa, both men have always been on opposite sides politically until Atiku made his move to join PDP last year.

Jonathan said he was pleased that the former vice president had come to his country home to pay him a visit.

The home of former President Olusegun Obasanjo has also seen such similar consultations. Although the elder statesman has said he was no longer going to be involved in partisan politics. But he appears to be one of the rallying points for the opposition since his celebrated letter to President Muhammadu Buhari in January this year.

Nearly all the presidential aspirants of the PDP have visited Obasanjo to get his endorsement. But Olusegun is yet to openly endorse any of the aspirants. All his meetings with the aspirants have all been behind closed door. He also did not make any comments in the press about the visits, making it difficult to know where he is leaning.

Saraki disclosed why he met with Obasanjo behind closed doors, at his Ota mansion, he said he visited Obasanjo to make up for his absence during the formal inauguration of the Presidential library held last year.

“You know I missed the official opening of the library and that is why I have decided to come and see the place and honestly it is beautiful we are very proud of what he has done here,” he had said.

Some also suggest Obasanjo would have secretly endorsed the candidate of his choice ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

Would these former leaders endorse different candidates for the PDP presidential ticket? Or would they put the country first and support the candidate with the best credentials?