Ahead of its Monday rally in Kaduna, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) under the candidature of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Saturday visited the Emir of Zazzau Amb Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli at his palace in Zaria.
During the visit, preceded by a rousing welcome all the way from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) to the Kofar Doka precinct of the Emir’s palace in Zaria city, a distance of about 12 kilometers, Atiku expressed gratitude to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli for the opportunity to visit him and members of his Emirate.
“May your reign be long, on behalf of myself, my entourage, our party: the PDP, I want to use this occasion to formally congratulate you upon the conferment of the national honors of Officer of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on you by President Muhammadu Buhari,” the presidential candidate, said.
Stating that the visit to the Emir’s palace was to solicit for his blessings and prayers taking into consideration his spiritual and temporal roles, Atiku noted that the Emir is known globally and at home for his track record of distinguished service in many fields of human endeavors.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Atiku’s PPCO, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state said “we respectfully converge here today and and at this period of electioneering campaign to seek prayers and words of wisdom from royal fathers such as Your Royal Highness”
“We are grateful for the warm reception accorded us since we arrived,” Tambuwal, who is also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the PDP Governors Forum said, just as he applauded the Emir’s contributions to his emirate, the state and Nigeria’s development in general.
Responding to the remarks of the visitors, the Emir of Zazzau thanked Atiku for finding time to visit the Emirate for the second time since he ascended the throne.
“In our position as emirs, at this time of electioneering campaign, our task is simple, that is to pray to Allah to bless your strivings,” the Emir of Zazzau said.
He noted that considering Atiku’s experience as former Vice President and his political exposure in the country, he is confident that if he wins the election he will bring all his good qualities to bear in running the affairs of the country and engender peace and good governance.
The monarch expressed appreciation to Atiku, Tambuwal and their entourage for the visit and prayed for God’s guidance and peace in the nation at all times.
Former Governor of Kaduna state, himself a traditional title holder in the Emirate, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, had at the beginning of the brief occasion, welcome Atiku and the campaign team to Kaduna on behalf of the party leaders.
He said “Kaduna is yours and God willing your ambition shall be fulfilled,” and also asked the Emir of Zazzau for his blessings during the party and its candidates outings in the state and nationwide.
In Atiku’s entourage during the less than 30 minutes visit were the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Kaduna state, Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan, former Governor of Adamawa and Niger states, Mr Boni Haruna and Muazu Babangida Aliyu and ex Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Abdul Ahmed Ningi.
Also with the presidential candidate were one of his spokesperson for the campaign, Senator Dino Melaye, the national organizing secretary of the PDP, who is also the director of field operations of the campaign, Hon. Umar Bature, the party’s national youth leader, Muhammad Suleiman Kadade and Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Amin (aka Little), a PDP chieftain in Kano.
