IBB, a strategic thinker, believer in national unity, says Atiku

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described erstwhile Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida, rtd, as a strategic thinker and a true believer in national unity and national integration.
These attributes and others, Atiku pointed out, are qualities for which history and posterity will deliver a favourable verdict on Babangida.
The former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general elections, said this in a tribute he sent to the former Military President on the occasion of his 79th birthday celebration.
According to the former Vice President, one of the reasons IBB “charms and arouses” the interest of the world is his unique capacity to learn and listen to others, even if he disagrees with them.
He stressed further that apart from being decisive and bold in taking major decisions at the right time, every sincere Nigerian would commend Babangida for his broadmindedness which was reflected in the structure of his government.
In the tribute tagged, “Atiku salutes IBB at 79, pays tribute to his respect and commitment to Nigeria’s diversity”, the presidential candidate of the PDP lauded Babangida for his respect and commitment to Nigeria’ s diversity.
Atiku, in the attribute said, ” IBB’s (Babangida’s) attributes of intelligence, wisdom, charisma and his understanding and respect for Nigeria’s diversity, has stood the test of time.
“General Babangida is amazingly gifted, he is a strategic thinker and a true believer in national unity and national integration, qualities for which history and posterity will deliver a favourable verdict on him,” he added.
“One of the reasons IBB charms and arouses the interest of the world is his unique capacity to learn, and listen to others, even if he disagrees with them.
“Apart from being decisive and bold in taking major decisions at the right time, every sincere Nigerian would commend IBB for his broadmindedness which was reflected in the structure of his government”, he said.
The former Vice President recalled Babangida’s women emancipation agenda, which was powered by his late wife, Maryam.
While wishing Babangida more years in good health, the PDP Presidential candidate in the 2019 election appealed to Nigerian politicians to take a cue from IBB’s philosophy of inclusive government, which he said, is a prerequisite for reducing the tensions and separatist tendencies in the country.