Former military ruler of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida, on Monday declared his support for his former colleague in the military and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February election, Muhammadu Buhari, while promising that all former Army Generals would back Buhari in the election.
Buhari, with the APC campaign train was in Minna, Niger State where he campaigned to a crowd of residents, promising to spend the proceed from the fight against corruption in building schools and hospitals and equipping them.
Those who visited Babangida with Buhari include Deputy National Chairman of the APC, Senator Lawan Shuaibu, National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Rotimi Ameachi, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Chief Kemi Nelson, Segun Oni, General Abdulraham Danbanzzau, and Senator George Akume.
Babangida’s uphill residence was the first place visited by the campaign team immediately it landed in Minna.
Receiving the APC leaders, Babangida said he was proud of Buhari, especially with his perseverance in spite of previous defeats.
He said he would support Buhari’s ambition this time around despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Weeks ago, President Goodluck Jonathan, presidential candidate of the PDP had paid a visit to Babangida calling the latter his father and holding a close-door session with him.
While attending to the APC team, Babangida told Buhari: “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.”
“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.”
He accused the Nigerian media of giving the impression of a strained relationship between him and Buhari saying the bond between them remained strong.
“You media men have created this impression that we are fighting each other. Look at us here today,” Babangida said.
“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,” he said.
Buhari told Babangida that his visit to Minna was part of his campaign to solicit for support ahead of the election.
He also said he had visited Chief Olusegun earlier but that all his efforts to pull the former President into the APC had not yielded any fruit.
He further assured Babangida that the APC would take over the state in the forthcoming elections in the state and that the APC’s position had been boosted by those who have decamped in the state.
