As part of ongoing deal for a soft landing for Dr. Mahmood Halilu Ahmed, brother to President Buhari’s wife, Aisha, there is pressure on five aspirants to step down for him in Adamawa Central Senatorial District race.

Ahmed is already vying for governorship ticket with Governor Jibrilla Bindow.

But following signals that the governor might be difficult to defeat, a Plan B was being perfected last night.

It was gathered that representations have been made to the National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress(APC) not to humiliate the First Lady and her brother.

One of those behind soft-landing for the First Lady’s brother is a former Head of State(names withheld).

A party source said: “Some forces in the Presidency and Adamawa State are now saying that the minimum concession they would accept for Dr. Mahmood Halilu Ahmed (aka MODI) is to disqualify all aspirants for Adamawa Central Senatorial District and give the First Lady’s brother automatic ticket for the seat.

They want to ask five aspirants to step down for Dr. Ahmed if he is unable to defeat Governor Jibrilla Bindow at the primaries.

“The affected aspirants are a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Alh. Umar Suleiman; former Chairman, Fufore Local Government, Barrister Aliyu Wakili Boya; ex-Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross, Barrister Bello Hamman Diram; a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (Binani) and Alh. Ibrahim Waziri(Bappa Waziri), who is a die-hard supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari from ANPP days.

“The greatest challenge at hand is that the First Lady’s brother never bought form to contest for Senate, he was never screened for Senatorial ticket, yet some forces in the presidency want him to represent Adamawa Central Senatorial District.

“All APC members in the National Assembly from Adamawa State(including a Senator and seven members of the House of Representatives) have protested to the national headquarters of the party on the latest development.”

Meanwhile, the First Lady’s brother has written a petition to the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole demanding immediate reconstitution of Adamawa Gubernatorial Election Committee.

•Excerpted from The Nation report