February Polls: Retired Generals Will Back Buhari – Babangida

Source: thewillnigeria.com

…Commends APC For Choosing An Ex-General As Flagbearer

BEVERLY HILLS, January 19, (THEWILL) – Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, Monday, assured the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, of the support of retired Generals in his aspiration to become the president of Nigeria during the February general elections.

Babangida gave this assurance when Buhari paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.

Congratulating Buhari for taking the bull by the horn in his determination to effect a change in the country, Babangida said the military was very proud of Buhari.

Babangida also praised the APC for choosing Buhari, whom he described as “one of our own”, saying Buhari's military constituency will surely back his aspirations.

“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, “ Babangida told 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”.

Babangida however blamed the media for creating the impression that Buhari and himself were not in good terms.

“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,” Babangida said.

In his response to Babangida's assurance of support, Buhari said he was in Minna in continuation of his nationwide campaign ahead of the February 14 presidential election even as he disclosed that he had earlier met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo who, according to him, had also given his confidence for his aspiration.

Buhari, who was accompanied on the visit by 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, said APC was determined to take over the governance of the country from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Other APC stalwarts on the entourage were General Abdulraham Danbanzzau, Senator George Akume, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson.