I am in Abuja, and the highlight of my visit is the visit to the Presidential candidate of the ADC and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar
My contact is very close to him, has had a long-standing relationship with him, and is in the core of his team
She had said she would try to give me access and face time
So I landed, checked into my hotel, and kept myself on standby
Then she called: Edgar, he is going to the Mosque to pray, and from there to Musa Yardua Centre. Today is the inauguration of the campaign council, so maybe you should come to the Centre, and we take it from there
I wanted a private session with him, but she pushed back: come to the centre first, and we’ll take it from there.
So I jumped into my jeans and took a ride and appeared at the famous Musa Yardua Centre
The place still looked elegant; the last time I was there was when I hosted Emir Sanusi II for my play, Emir Sanusi.
The place was filled to the brim. Cars and people fighting for space; the hordes were so much that there was nowhere to place a foot.
I found my way to the VIP entrance and met four bulky and usually stern-looking security men armed to the teeth.
I said, I have a seat in front, and I’m being expected
They said, ” No space in the hall and just at that point, my contact sent a text – the Hall is so full that I have given up your seat.
The security men, taking pity on me, motioned me to another door to go try
I know the Hall very well and knew that the door they were ushering me to was the door for ‘I just waka come’ people
I insisted one more time, and they said, ” Wait, make I show you and they gave me a peek into the Hall
What I saw was a fire hazard. The crowd that squeezed into that hall was almost three times its capacity; the sweat, the tightness and the risk of fire, especially with all the overflowing robes they all wore, made me retreat
I rushed out of the place and went to the grounds for my safety
At that point, my contact called, and I said – My sister, no worry, call me when una finish
I went back to my hotel and slept like a baby with no bother
This morning, I placed a call to my contact, and immediately she came on the call. I asked a very simple question
Why una use such a small hall?
Her answer showed the level of intolerance of the government – every Hall we go to, they refuse us. So we come here since we own it
Now if this is true, then I would now ask what kind of democracy is this?
Judging by the way things have been going in this administration, that question on our democracy is the most foolish question any man of my calibre would be asking
I should know better. To the powers that be, stifling opposition in something as little as putting obstacles to their Right of Association is nothing and just part of an ordinary business day-shior
Anyway, back to my matter.
What are my chances, I ask?
Work has started with the inauguration and It’s now back-to-back as campaigns have started earnestly, but call me mid-morning; let me get to the house and see how I can squeeze you in
The waiting game resumes, and I am using the opportunity to sell my four plays, especially Hafsatu here in Abuja, after meeting Sardauna’s great descendant
Atiku Abubakar is number 14 on the Powerlist; hence my rabid desire to present him the book
Fingers crossed, hoping the call will come, and if not, no problem; we go courier am to him, just that he would miss the golden opportunity of meeting me. Sad.
No need to beat me on this one
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: October 10, 2026
