By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Just like he did to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) yesterday backed the presidential ambitions of former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, and Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
In December 2021, Babangida had endorsed the candidature of Osinbajo, who came to his Minna residence in Niger State to seek his blessing ahead of the 2023 presidential elections.
Babangida said Osinbajo is a good man to lead Nigeria.
However, yesterday, Atiku also paid a courtesy visit to IBB. He also visited the state’s host governor, Sani Bello, after he tweeted and shared photos of his meeting with the former Nigerian military ruler.
Responding to request from a delegation of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki National Campaign Advocacy Council led by its chairman, Prof Hagher Iorwuese and Director-General, Chief Osaro Onaiwu, at residence yesterday, IBB did not hide his admiration for Saraki, nor did not he mince words on his approval of the former Kwara State governor.
Babangida equated Saraki to a self-propelled (SP) artillery gun, an abbreviation for Senate President, and as a character whose credentials and personality speak for him.
“Many aspirants have come and will come here. But a young man of his (Saraki) status, who knows the country well, should lead the country for maximum results.
“I am glad to have found people who have defined who a true Nigerian leader should be. This definition was lacking. Am happy you have identified someone who can do the job. The narrative has to change. I know your client very well. I am part of him. His father was very close to me,” Babangida said.
He added, “You have zeroed on a good candidate.
I call him SP. In the artillery, we have a Self-Propelled gun called SP, with strategic responsibility and functions. That is who he is.”
Babangida also commended Saraki’s patriotic efforts as President of the 8th Senate, saying, “It was Saraki’s efforts that saved the nation from the imminent crisis that ensued. Remember, if he was not able to nip the crisis, only God knows what would have happened. It was his intelligence at play that saved the nation. He is the best for Nigeria.
“But a lot of work must be done to convince colleagues and Nigerians to do this. You have identified the right person for the leadership of this country. We need a leader that can utilise our rich diversities to our advantage.
“We have abused our diversity, and are not able to use it well to our advantage. I believe that the young Saraki can bring back this glory to our nation. He has my prayers, he has my absolute support.”
The leader of the large delegation, Hagher, had asked for IBB’s blessings and support for Saraki, who is within the youthful age canvassed by IBB himself for the leadership of Nigeria.
Hagher said, “Your Excellency Sir, we are here to present to you your son, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. The country has not fared well under the present system, and if nothing is done, the situation will be worse.
“We remember how you provided concrete leadership for this country. We recall with a great sense of pride your intelligence, how you were able to assemble the best brains, to build a strategic network of contacts, connections, and lasting relationships which are still standing strong today. You don’t forget your friends nor do you forget your relationships built over the years.
“Your son, Saraki has your DNA and is following these beautiful footsteps of yours. He has all that it takes to provide the kind of leadership you bestowed on this country. He is intelligent, cosmopolitan, patriotic, determined, energetic, and strategic to do the job.”
Making a case for the North Central zone, Hagher added that while the South-West, South-South, and North-West have produced presidents for Nigeria, and the North-East and South-East have produced vice-presidents, the North Central, full of capable and competent human resources is yet to express its leadership potentials for the country. We respectfully aver that the North should produce the next President, the North Central.”
In the delegation were former Governor Shaaba Lafiagi from Kwara State, former Senators Solomon Ewuga, Suleiman Adokwe, former national and state assembly members, and critical stakeholders across the country.
But later sharing pictures of the visit, Atiku wrote: “At a courtesy visit to former military President Ibrahim Babangida and Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State in Minna today.”
The visit came weeks after Tinubu visited the former head of state seeking his ‘blessings’ for his 2023 ambition.
Although Atiku has not announced that he will be contesting, it is widely believed that he has eyes on the position.
And like such visits which replicate a tradition in Nigeria where political aspirants often pay homages to leaders, sitting VP, through a political platform, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Support Group, had also gone to Minna to sell their aspirant to the former military leader in his hometown
Another of the VP’s prompters, Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation (OGO), also visited him in his Uphill residence in Minna.
Babangida urged the vice president to stay on course and be resilient.
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He said, “I know the vice president very well. He is a good man. He is a man who has conviction about Nigeria; a man who can communicate with the country and inspire people.
“Such a man is a worthy person to work with. We need a good man to lead Nigeria; a man who has a passion for this country. Nigeria is a good country; the people of Nigeria are good. You must learn to understand people and constant discussion is a key,” he said.
According to the former military president, “I want to convey my best wishes to the vice president through you (the group). And I want you to tell him to stay on the course. I know it is not easy but he has the conviction. I wish him the best.”
