PDP presidential candidate in next year’s election, Mr. Umar Musa Yar’Adua, sneaked into Minna, Niger State, three days after he became the ruling political party's flagbearer to hold a secret meeting with former dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida.
The saddening news, as reported by the Nigerian Tribune, puts a big question mark on whether Yar'adua would not continue to shield the Evil Genius from justice for his crimes, just as the Obasanjo administration has done for most of its tenure.
It was also learnt that the wife of Governor Goodluck Jonathan of Bayelsa - running mate to Mr. Yar'Adua - was in Minna a day before to meet with IBB’s wife, Mrs. Maryam Babangida, to seek the support of IBB on the Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket.
The meeting held at the Presidential Lodge, close to Government House, had in attendance only three persons: Gen. Babangida, Gov. Yar’Adua and Gov. Abdulkadir Kure of Niger State.
The presidential hopeful arrived the Minna Airport at about 6p.m. in a presidential jet and was received by Governor Kure. He was then driven to the Presidential Lodge, while the host governor went to the Hilltop residence of Gen. Babangida to escort him to the meeting which lasted about 30 minutes
The duo, according to the source, went into the lodge and met with Mr. Yar’Adua for about 25 minutes. After the meeting, Mr. Yar’Adua was driven back to the airport for his return journey.
Details of the deliberations among the three leaders were scanty as a source said Mr. Yar’Adua expressed gratitude to both General Babangida and Mr. Kure for supporting him during the presidential primaries of the PDP which Yar’Adua won.
General Babangida’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Habibu Shuaibu (rtd), declined to comment on the issue when contacted, referring the Nigerian Tribune to the Niger State Government House. Both the Special Adviser, Media, to Governor Kure, Mahmud Abdullahi and the Commissioner for Information, Umaru Ragada, could not be reached for comment.
However, the Niger State coordinator of the IBB campaign organisation, Alhaji Nma Kolo, confirmed the development. General Babangida had over a week ago pulled out of the PDP presidential race because of the alleged presence of the national security adviser, Alhaji Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Yar’Adua who he described as his brothers.
General Babangida had, in a letter to President Olusegun Obasanjo about his decision to withdraw from the race, stated that he was “in a moral dilemma” about the candidature of Yar’Adua and Aliyu Gusau.
“Yar’Adua is my younger brother while Gusau is a friend for over 40 years”, he had said. Meanwhile, General Babangida has ordered his supporters to stop a rally scheduled for Minna, the Niger State capital, tomorrow.
General Babangida said the planned rally was “unnecessary and uncalled for” and, therefore, should be “rested”. Speaking through Alhaji Kolo, General Babangida expressed appreciation to the organisers of the rally, adding that he was aware of their interest and would do everything to protect such “yearnings and aspirations”.
He explained that the former military president was still consulting with various stakeholders in the political affairs of the country, including members of his campaign organisation, adding that “within the shortest time”, the outcome of the consultations would be made known to Nigerians.
Also, General Babangida may finally abandon his presidential ambition as intense pressure is reportedly being mounted on him by hawks in the presidency to quit the race. This development is coming ahead of today’s national convention of the National Democratic Party (NDP) billed to be held at the sports hall of the National Stadium which highlights include the ratification of General Babangida as the party’s presidential standard-bearer in the forthcoming general election.
Nigerian Tribune findings showed that the former military president had been advised to forget his presidential ambition which he made public some few weeks ago and join hands with the candidate of the PDP, M. Yar’Adua.
