- Says ‘no rift between us
From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna.
Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has thrown his weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari saying that they, retired generals, will support the aspiration of one of their own.
IBB made this known when he received the APC presidential hopeful in his uphill mansion in Minna after his campaign rally in Minna yesterday.
The former leader noted that he was proud of the persistence and perseverance of Buhari in seeking to offer himself for service at the highest level in the country’s young democracy.
Babangida told Buhari, that “you have beaten some of us in proving Gen. Douglas Mc’Arthur’s theory that, ‘old soldiers never die but fade away gradually, but you have refused to fade away”.
He then commended APC for honouring the military by nominating Buhari. “I wish to congratulate members of the party for the honour of nominating my colleague, General Muhammadu Buhari as your presidential candidate in 2015 election”.
IBB later said that the media had misrepresented their relationship alleging that it had created the impression that he and Buhari were at loggerheads.
“You media men have created this impression that we are fighting each other. Look at us here today, he knows what I mean and I know what he means. We both fought to keep Nigeria one when we were young majors then. We were well travelled.
“I want to commend APC for choosing our colleague as your flag bearer. All of us will support you (Buhari) in this course to salvage this country,” IBB stated.
Earlier the APC Presidential candidate said he was in Minna in continuation of his nationwide shopping for votes to salvage the country from the 16 years of misrule of the PDP government.
Buhari who was elated by IBB words of assurance said he had earlier met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo whom he failed to pull to APC but gave his confidence for his aspiration.
He said the party was set to take over the state with the calibre of the candidates presented for various offices and the quality of those that decamped from the ruling PDP.
On the entourage of Buhari to IBB’s house included the deputy national chairman of the party, Senator Lawan Shuaibu, national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Rotimi Ameachi, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Mr. Segun Oni.
Others were General Abdulraham Danbanzzau, Senator George Akume, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson.
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