Determined to win the presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ex-President Ibrahim Babangida and ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have started the intense lobbying of members of the 36 state houses of assembly and other automatic delegates.

They have intensified their campaign in their bid to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential primaries of the party.

In one of such meetings, many members of the Kogi House of Assembly met secretly with the two leading presidential aspirants in Abuja on Thursday night.

Also, barring last-minute change of mind, the PDP may hold its presidential primaries in January 2011.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that Babangida and Atiku have emerged as early runners for the presidential primaries with one-on-one lobbying of state lawmakers and other automatic delegates.

Section 12.84 of the PDP Constitution makes some party members automatic delegates. They are state governors; deputy governors; all members of the National Assembly who are members of the party; all elected local government chairmen; all party chairmen of the 774 local government areas; all members of the Zonal Working Committee; state party chairmen and secretaries, including those of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to findings, the two aspirants had secretly met with lawmakers from about 15 states in Abuja as part of steps to secure the majority ahead of the National Convention.

It was gathered that lawmakers from some states alleged to be the strongholds of President Jonathan sneaked into Abuja to meet with the two presidential gladiators.

Apart from selling their programmes, it was learnt that a major issue that featured at the lobbying session was how to stop President Jonathan from usurping a slot meant for the north in 2011.

Investigation showed that some of the lawmakers asked the two aspirants to insist on secret ballot for the primaries in order to be able to vote according to their conscience.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: "The presidential primary is a game of number and not the amount of shuttles any campaign group could embark upon.

"The two aspirants have adopted a one-on-one method used by the late presidential aspirant, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, which almost earned him the presidential ticket of the defunct Social Democratic Party(SDP) before it was cancelled.

"They are already wooing these automatic delegates and this is adding a fresh dimension to the presidential primaries. It is certainly going to be a battle royale".

The source added that some members of the Kogi State House of Assembly were among the latest batch of automatic delegates who met with the two presidential aspirants.

He added: "You know, Kogi State is a major area of strength of the President. But the lawmakers said they were ready to back a northern candidate. The development was shocking to major stakeholders in Kogi State."

Meanwhile, there were strong indications yesterday that the presidential primaries of the party might hold in January.

A source said: "We are looking forward to January for the primaries because of Hajj, Eid-el-Kabir and Christmas festivals ahead of us.

"The party also opted for January to enable it to put its house in order before the presidential primaries.

"There is no point pretending that all is well in the party. Some of our leaders are bickering over congresses in some states and a few others are out to remove the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.

"So, we need to sort out ourselves before the presidential primaries. Notwithstanding, we hope to conduct local government congresses on or before December ending."

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Forget it. GEJ will defeat them. Those delegates trooping to meet IBB and Atiku are only going there to collect their share of stolen wealth. Smart Nigerians

IF I'm a delegate I will sure go take mine from all the rogues.

Johnathan must go,lets wait and see hat clark can do to help him,

I am really tired of all this stories

It looks like Atiku's strategy this time is to play his politics only on the pages of newspaper.