As predicted by my colleagues, all the aspirants in the race to be the opposition ANPP candidate -bar one- pulled out. Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara state stepped up and announced to the Eagle Square crowd he would not be contesting the election, and everyone followed, even the man reportedly paid by Obasanjo to step up to be a 'spoiler'.
General Mohammedu Buhari said he was "overcome by the sacrifice" made by Sani. Then he let a tiny chink of light in on the whole deal. He said: "I assure you that when the ANPP is in control of this country at a federal and local level, that man will still play a role in the country's future."
Sani is under pressure from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The head of the EFCC announced on the floor of the Senate in September that Sani was guilty of grossly raiding the state's coffers. Nuhu Ribadu said: "This man does not even send a subordinate to do his work for him, he takes money from the safe himself." Sani said he was the victim of a witch hunt. But of all the aspirants for the ANPP, Sani probably spent the most on his campaign. He has to work out some kind of deal, and Buhari has virtually admitted he will be granted some kind of immunity after the election.
In the end one candidate remained, a no-hoper who will get very few votes. All my colleagues stood and watched intently as each aspirant withdraw. As each one stepped down (one of them called it the 'moving train') my colleagues got happier and happier. Most people here see Buhari as a straight dealing no-nonsense corruption buster. I'm not convinced. There was much slapping of hands and elation at the prospect of Buhari being elected ANPP candidate without an election. The candidates in Eagle Square were leaping around in joy. I wish I'd been there.
"Isn't this better then what happened at the PDP?" one colleague asked. How is it different? There Obasanjo threatened the governors with investigation of their past doings if they didn't step down. It looks as if Buhari has offered immunity from future corruption in pursute of his candidacy.
But now it is clear, this election will probably be dirty, but it will also be violent. On both sides, big men have staked a lot, and if they lose -they lose everything.