You ll Have My Vote And That Of Retired Army Generals....IBB Tells Buhari

The presidential ambition of All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, received a boost, on Monday, as former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) said they (Generals) will support him.

IBB gave the assurance when he played host to Buhari at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger State.
The former military leader said he was proud of the persistence and perseverance of General 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 McArthur’s theory that ‘old soliders never die but fade away gradually,’ but you have refused to fade away,” he told Buhari.
He also commended APC for honouring the military by nominating Buhari, saying “I wish to congratulate members of the party for the honour of nominating my colleague, General Muhammadu Buhari, as presidential candidate in 2015 election.”
The former military president chided the media, saying so far, they had misrepresented their relationship by creating the impression that the two leaders were at loggerheads.
“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 standard-bearer. All of us will support you (Buhari) in this cause to salvage this country,” IBB stated.
Earlier, Buhari had said he was in Minna in continuation of his nationwide shopping for votes to salvage the country from what he termed the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Buhari, who was elated by IBB’s words of assurance, said he had earlier met with former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, over his ambition.
He said the party was set to take over the state with the calibre of the candidates presented for various offices and the quality of those that defected from the ruling PDP.
On the entourage of Buhari to IBB’s house were the deputy national chairman of the party, Senator Lawan Shuaibu; national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu; Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Rotimi Ameachi, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Segun Oni.
Others were General Abdulraham Danbanzzau, Senator George Akume, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson.
Meanwhile, while addressing the crowd of supporters at a rally in Minna, Buhari advised the electorate to remain at the polling units until results were declared.
According to him, “anything that may jeopardise the result of the election should not be allowed.”
The presidential candidate also assured the people of the state that he would provide enough power to enable businessmen and women to carry out their businesses in a well dignified manner.
“Without power, most of the industries will not strive. If voted into power, I will improve the agricultural sector in Niger State, knowing full well that the state is one of the food baskets of the nation,” he said.
Speaking at the rally, Tinubu urged the electorate to get their voter cards ready for the election, stating that their cards would bring development to the nation.
Later in Kaduna, Buhari, alongside his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, arrived at the Murtala Square at about 6.00 p.m. with a welcome from the crowd.
He was accompanied to the podium by Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; APC governorship candidate in the state, Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i and other chieftains of the party.
The crowd cheered Buhari as he arrived, chanting “sai Baba.”
The presidential candidate, in his remarks, thanked his supporters and urged them to work hard for the success of the party during elections.
He said the security situation had deteriorated under the PDP, while urging his supporters not to kill or injure anyone during elections.