THERE were more facts Tuesday on how former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar emerged the North’s consensus candidate.

The Consensus Committee of the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) on Monday resorted to secret voting to pick its choice, The Nation learnt.

Atiku polled four, of the nine votes.

The nine “wise men” dumped their plan to go for a second round of voting, apparently because they felt the voting was keen.

They opted to pick Atiku who had simple majority of the votes.

An investigation by The Nation revealed the standing of the aspirants: Ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida (three); ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar (four); Governor Bukola Saraki (two); and former National Security Adviser Gen. Aliyu Gusau (Nil).

According to findings, a member of the committee, Mallam Magaji Dambatta, suggested open voting in making the final choice.

But, it was learnt, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Audu Ogbeh, urged members to protect the sanctity of voting through secret balloting.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Dambatta suggested that the voting should be by open ballot.

His argument was that as old men, they should be seen not to be afraid of anything as they are rated as wise men.

“But Audu Ogbeh and Gen. David Jemibewon (rtd) said they should do secret balloting.

“Ogbeh took about 10 minutes to address the committee on the imperative of secret ballot and why it would assist them to make their free choice.

“At the end of the day, they were all persuaded by Ogbeh’s argument and they opted for secret voting.

“Then, ballot papers were circulated to members to write their choice of consensus candidate before it was later compiled.

“After the compilation, the results indicated that Atiku had four votes; Babangida scored three; Saraki had two and Gusau had none.

“It was really a slim victory for Atiku.

"And his saving grace was that they ignored the initial rule to go for second round of balloting where it was a close contest.”

Members of the committee, it was learnt, insisted on burning the ballot papers to “avoid any of the aspirants tracing their writings through forensic analysis.

“So, before the decision was made known to the aspirants, the committee burnt the ballot papers.”

But the voting pattern later got leaked from those assigned the responsibility of burning the ballot papers.

According to the source, those who voted for Babangida are: Mallam Adamu Ciroma; Senator Jibrin Salihu and Magaji Dambatta.

For Atiku are: Bello Kurfi; M.D. Yusufu; Buba Yaro Mafindi and Amb. M.Z. Anka.

Saraki got his votes from Audu Ogbeh and Gen. David Jemibewon.

As at last night, all the aspirants were aware of the pattern of voting and those who voted for them.

Asked why Atiku had an edge over others, the source added: “The members were aware of yet to be proven allegations against Atiku but they rated him as a ‘strict and aggressive fighter’ who could put the campaign for power shift to the North on the front burner.

“I think the wise men saw that the battle ahead against Jonathan on zoning might be rough and a rugged politician, who could go in and out of court several times, like Atiku, should be given a chance.

“There is a larger picture that Atiku can fight to the finish without being rough or rocking the boat. The NPLF leaders are passionate about power returning to the North next year.

“The opinion of members of the committee before the Sallah break on who should be the consensus candidate was different from the final outcome.”

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