Former military President Ibrahim Babangida has endorsed the presidential aspiration of Alll progressives Comgress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari, saying that retired generals will support the aspiration of one of their own.
Babangida’s words of support to Bhuari is coming just a few weeks after he okayed the aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan, who he said meant well for the country.
Babangida played host to the APC presidential hopeful in his Uphill residence in Minna, the Niger State capital
Babangida said 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.
“You have beaten some of us in proving General Douglas Mc’Arthur’s theory that, ‘old soldiers never die’ but fade away gradually, but you have refused to fade away,” he said.
He then commended APC for honouring the military by nominating Buhari, adding: “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.”
The former military President said the media had misrepresented their relationship, alleging that the media had created the impression that the two leaders were at loggerheads.
He said: “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.”
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 Peoples Democratic Party-led government.
Buhari, who was elated by Babangida’s 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 Niger 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 Babangida’s house were the Deputy National Chairman of the APC, Senator Lawan Shuaibu; its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; a former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande; Governor of Rivers State and Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Hon. Rotimi Ameachi; former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and former Governor of Ekiti State, Engineer Segun Oni.
Others were General Abdulraham Danbanzzau, Senator George Akume, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Chief Kemi Nelson.
