Former military President Ibrahim Babangida made no
commitment on the 2015 presidential poll to President Goodluck Jonathan at a
meeting in Minna on Saturday.
Gen. Babangida only raised issues on how to keep the nation
united during and after the general elections – contrary to the widespread
insinuation that he endorsed Jonathan’s bid for another term.
Buoyed by the visit, Dr. Jonathan has started reaching out to
key emirs and leaders of the North to back his re-election bid.
He may soon visit these leaders as part of his action plan to
reduce the influence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential
candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
The details of the meeting between Jonathan and Gen. Babangida
were revealed in Abuja by one of the key aides of the former military leader.
The talks between the two leaders in Minna created ripples in
the North, with many highly-placed Northerners bombarding Gen. Babangida with
calls on what actually transpired.
The aide, who was at Gen. Babangida’s Hilltop mansion when
Jonathan visited, said the talks had nothing to do with the general elections.
The source said: “It is true that the President visited Gen.
Babangida at his Minna Hilltop mansion but the nature of his message was based
purely on unity of the country and not about 2015 presidential election.
“As a former president who fought for the unity of the country,
he was of the view that the president needs support as President and not as
presidential candidate per se.
“It is his view that the country needs to be united as one
before we can begin to talk about election. Only a united Nigeria can guarantee
credible election.”
According to the aide, who requested not to be named because he
was not permitted to speak to the media, “What Gen. IBB said should be viewed
within the context of the larger Nigeria interest and not that of any parochial
interest that is likely to unsettle the system.
“Those of them who fought in the civil war to keep the country
one understand the dynamics and challenges facing us now in the face of grave
insecurity and poor economic realities,” he said.
Besides, said the aide, those criticising Gen. Babangida should
take it easy as he belongs to the PDP “even as a nominal member.
“As a leader and former president who was privileged to preside
over the affairs of the country and who also fought in the civil war, he will
continue to speak the language of unification than that of division,” he said.
Gen. Babangida’s view, according to the aide is that as a
President who is facing crises, Jonathan deserves the support of all to keep
the country together, irrespective of all the manifest imperfections.
Jonathan is said to have started reaching out to top Emirs and
leaders in the North to checkmate Gen. Buhari’s influence.
A source spoke of the battle between Jonathan and Gen. Buhari
has shifting to the North, adding that has been consulting some prominent Emirs
and leaders on why he should be given second term in office.
“The President, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, PDP governors, and
leaders will be embarking on shuttles to some of these key Northern leaders for
support.
“They are desperate to take the battle to Buhari’s stronghold
but no one can say whether the President and the PDP can go far or not,” said
the source.
Another source added: “Jonathan’s game plan is to split the
North.
“This explains why Northern leaders were concerned about the
President’s renewed interest in the North after he failed the region in many
promises he made in 2011.”
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Politics