By Umar Yusuf
Yola—Adamawa State witnessed wild jubilations yesterday as the Northern Political Elders Forum, NPLF, announced the endorsement of former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, as its consensus candidate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2011 presidential election.

As soon as the news of Atiku Abubakar’s emergence filtered into the state, Yola the state capital was agog as thousands of his supporters thronged the main streets jubilating and chanting.

The vehicular convoy of Atiku’s supporters blocked most of the major streets especially Galadima Aminu and Mohammed Mustafa ways causing heavy traffic hold-up on the roads.

At the presidential campaign office of the Northern Consensus Candidate situated along Atiku Abubakar Way, celebrations were more intense and chaotic as campaign vehicles with heavy loud speakers shook structures by the roadsides, even as the supporters completely blocked the dual carriage road forcing motorists to take other roads.

Adamawa PDP speaks

Commenting on the emergence of Atiku Abubakar, Adamawa State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Umaru Mijinyawa Kugama, told Vanguard in a  telephone chat that if the decision of NPLF represents the position of the entire North, let it be.

Kugama announced that Adamawa PDP stakeholders will soon meet and come up with a position statement on the issue.

Home Front’s directives

Meanwhile, Atiku’s Home Front has also reacted to the endorsement of its principal as the Northern consensus candidate of the PDP.

In a statement aired of local radio stations in Yola, a spokeman for the front, Mr. Yakubu Tsala, directed all supporters of the former Vice-President to stop attending any other political meeting apart from that of the PDP.

Tsala said the group will not condone any person or group of persons claiming to be supporter(s) of Atiku Abubakar’s camp and be associating with other political parties.