2015: Babangida to Buhari, Retired Generals will support you

           Gen. Babangida

The presidential ambition of All Progressives Congress candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday evening got a boost from his primary constituency, the military, when former military President Ibrahim Babangida said retired generals will support the aspiration of one of theirs.
Babangida said this when he played host to the APC presidential hopeful in his Uphill residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The former military leader, who said he was proud of the persistence and perseverance of Buhari in seeking to offer himself for service at the highest level in the country’s young democracy.
Babangida told his guest: “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.”
He then commended APC for honouring the military by nominating Buhari, adding: “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.”
The former military President said the media had misrepresented their relationship, alleging that the media had created the impression that the two leaders were at loggerheads.
He said: “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.”
Earlier? the APC presidential candidate said he was in Minna in continuation of his nationwide shopping for votes to salvage the country from the 16 years of misrule of the PDP government.
Buhari who was elated by IBB words of assurance said he had earlier met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo whom he failed to pull to APC but gave his confidence for his aspiration.
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 decamped from the ruling PDP.
On the entourage of Buhari to IBB house include, 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.
Others are, General Abdulraham Danbanzzau, Senator George Akume, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Chief Kemi Nelson.