During the weekend, the campaign
train of Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state, stopped at the Minna, Niger
state residence of former military President Ibrahim Babaginda (IBB). The
governor, who is seeking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) for the 2019 election, solicited the support of the elder statesman
and Babaginda gave Tambuwal his blessings.
“I am very proud that you belong
to the generation that wants to keep Nigeria as one. You have a good team to
keep that; I have no doubt that Nigerians will give you the opportunity to put
these good ideas for the good of the country. You know the country; you
understand the challenges of the country. I trust you will work base on your
conviction for this country. You have my blessings and I will keep monitoring
to ensure you don’t deviate,” he had said.
Supporters of the governor had
gone to town saying the endorsement had brightened the chances of Tambuwal
securing the ticket. But is Tambuwal the only PDP aspirant whom IBB has given
his blessing?
Below is a list of some PDP presidential
aspirants who have visited Babangida and what he said to them.
TAMINU TURAKI
The former minister of special
duties visited Babangida on July 17. Like Tambuwal, Turaki solicited the
support of the former military leader, saying he has all that is needed to
improve the country.
During the visit, Babangida
endorsed him while saying the agenda of the aspirant are capable of
transforming the country.
“I am endorsing you because your
road map can lead Nigeria to prosperity,” he had said.
“We were taught in the military
that the unity of Nigeria must not be compromised; the programmes in your
agenda are capable of transforming Nigeria. From your agenda, I believe you
mean well for this country. I think if you are given the chance, Nigeria will
witness tremendous development.
“Even though I have adopted you
and you emerge as the president, I will follow you up so that if you derail, I
will remind you of your promises.”
AHMED MAKARFI
The former governor of Kaduna
state and immediate past caretaker committee chairman of the PDP, also paid a
visit to Babangida at his residence in Minna on August 4. During the visit,
Makarfi highlighted some of his plans in dealing with the challenges facing the
country.
The former president said Makarfi
restored his hope of a new Nigeria, adding that the ex-governor has his
blessings.
“I was almost losing hope in the
country, as a military man I wouldn’t. But having heard from the distinguished
senator, I have become more enlightened and emboldened to say we have hope in
Nigeria,” he had said.
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| When Mark came calling |
“Without fear or favour, you have
made my day. We need a new narrative in this country. We can’t go on like we
used to. We need an articulated vision of a new Nigeria. I am not surprised
that you give such narrative of the country. You did well in the legislature
and you handled well one of the most civilised and sophisticated states in
Nigeria.
“You have my blessings and I will
look forward to hearing from you on some of these articulations I heard from
you today. Honestly I feel so proud.”Without fear or favour, you have made my
day. We need a new narrative in this country. We can’t go on like we used to.
We need an articulated vision of a new Nigeria. I am not surprised that you
give such narrative of the country. You did well in the legislature and you
handled well one of the most civilised and sophisticated states in Nigeria.
SULE LAMIDO
Babangida also endorsed Lamido,
former governor of Jigawa state, when he paid him a visit on August 14.
The former governor solicited
prayer and advice from the former military leader, who in his response, gave
the presidential aspirant his blessings.
“Sule, Nigeria will be great with
you as its president because you are a student of late Malam Aminu Kano, who
saw and perceived life as struggle for the emancipation of the common man.
Nigeria needs a new leadership because the current leadership lost focus,
vision, courage to lead Nigeria to the promise land,” IBB was quoted to have
said.
There are 12 presidential
aspirants on the PDP platform. More than six have visited IBB, though the
details of his discussions with some of them were not made public. He could
have blessed them in private.
Among those who have visited
Babaginda’s hilltop residence in Minna are former Vice-President Atiku
Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Senate President David Mark
and Attahiru Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto state.
culled: TheCable
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