2019 Presidency: Emirs, Obasanjo allegedly back Tanimu, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso

macfranc007 May 31, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Nnenna Ibeh

- There are moves by certain top political player to support some aspirants for the forthcoming presidential election

- These key political players inlcude Emirs, generals and a former president of Nigeria

- Some of the politicians who seem to be enjoying these supports are; Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and a former minister of special duties, Turaki Tanimu

As plans for the 2019 general elections are underway, high-level stakeholders have moved to throw their weights behind three aspirants from the northwest to vie for presidency.

The top politicians gathering the support of these northern elders and leaders include the governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and a former minister of special duties, Turaki Tanimu.

Vanguard reports that support of the elders have began to lean towards Tanimu although Tambuwal and Kwankwanso have been in the radar for sometime.

Also, it was gathered that some generals including former president Olusegun Obasanjo and several emirs have stuck their necks for Senator Kwankwaso emergence's as president in 2019.

A source said: "Obasanjo has been briefed on him, but he is holding back."

Also, an associate of the former president said: “Even the manner of his (Tanimu’s) entry into the contest inspires suggestions of some high-level influence pushing his candidacy."

However, a northern based politician in the Tanimu campaign team said there is a repeat of political pattern in Tanimu's possible emergence.

The politician said it was clear that Shehu Shagari’s original aspiration was to be a senator, but the principalities were able to nudge him towards the presidency.

But a source said that Obasanjo's determination for the former Kano state governor is based on the long-running political association between the former president and Kwankwaso who also served as a minister in the Obasanjo administration between 2003 and 2007.

The source said: “Kwankwanso is someone like Buhari, a northern irredentist who will appeal to the same political base as Buhari and that is one reason counting for him."

“We know him, and the worst of him is not worse than Buhari; he is well educated, and going into the presidency we can be better prepared to get our agreements with him better than those who burnt their fingers with Buhari,” a politician from the southern region of the country said.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com earlier reported that the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement planned a mock election for some presidential aspirants from the north.

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The movement said the mock election will take place between President Muhammadu Buhari, , Kwankwaso, Ahmed Makarfi, Sule Lamido, Tambuwal and Dankwambo.

The election, which is expected to aid the region feel the pulse of the youth from the north will last for 60 days.

It will also help the leaders in the region to eventually decide on a most prospective candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

The next president of Nigeria. Who will win the 2019 elections? - on NAIJ.com TV