As the seconds tick towards tomorrow’s National Convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, facts have emerged on a new hidden agenda by President Olusegun Obasanjo in respect of who succeeds him.

•Alhaji Musa Yar’adua Photo: Sun News Publishing

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The sudden entry of Katsina governor, Alhaji Musa Yar’adua into the presidential race a fortnight ago upset the charts and unveiled a new vista in the president’s desperate calculations. Yar’adua, it eventually emerged, enterd the race at Obasanjo’s prompting.

The president, Daily Sun reliably learnt, has zeroed in on his close trusted aide, Dr. Andy Uba as deputy.

According to a highly reliable source, Obasanjo’s choice of the duo was predicated on “enlightened self interest.”

The plot, which drove the final nail into the ambitions of most of the acclaimed presidential front runners in the PDP, was based on Yar’adua’s health crisis, which has seen him in and out of hospital on several occasions.

The source said since Yar’adua’s failing health might not likely guarantee him a safe, free and full tenure in office; there is a likelihood of Uba stepping in as president to complete their term

“With Uba as president, Obasanjo can sleep well as power ultimately rests with him. Even with Yar’adua in the saddle, Obasanjo has no problems since he likes vulnerable persons over whom he can exert control,” the source added.

Yar’adua’s poor health has been a subject of intense speculations in the last six years as he is said to undergo dialysis frequently to enable his kidneys function effectively.

His special adviser on media, Abdul Nasir, has conceded that his boss had cause to battles with kidney problems.

Nasir explained that the ailment started in 2000, a situation that took Yar’adua to Germany, where he received the needed attention.

He said after the governor’s visit this year to Germany for check up, the doctors certified him fit, noting that Yar’adua’s health has been excellent since then.

“So far, so good. The aspirant can carry on with his political activities to actualise his presidential ambition, no matter the circumstance,” Nasir told the media last weekend.

Sceptics on the Yar’adua/Uba presidency argue that Uba already has the PDP governorship ticket in his kitty, and may not want to drop it for a vice presidential gamble.

But the source reminded that the incumbent Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, was already a governor-elect for Adamawa State in 1999 before Obasanjo picked him as running mate.

It was further learnt that Obasanjo had cleverly kept this new agenda close to his chest, and coldly drafted and encouraged most of the aspirants, especially the governors, on a race to nowhere.

Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, who was initially perceived as the president’s anointed successor, kissed the canvas when his equivocation in the heat of the struggle for tenure elongation (3rd term) for Obasanjo, put a wedge in their mutual trust.

“Obasanjo doesn’t trust Odili anymore. His prevarications and tongue-in-cheek pronouncements during the 3rd term battle is the issue, and that is why he is being punished,” the source further explained.

Meanwhile, Yar’adua, according to indications, has told his supporters of a straight victory at the primaries, promising to win a minimum of 22 states.

Yar’adua, the younger brother of Obasanjo’s second-in-command, Shehu, during his tenure as military head of state between 1976 and 1979, hails from the Northwest geo-political zone. Second republic President Shehu Shagari also comes from the zone.