Former dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida has been emboldened by the term-elongation troubles of President Olusegun Obasanjo, now declaring boldy for the very first time he would be a candidate for the presidency. He had abused the office for eight years, when he got the chance to rule after staging a military coup.
The self-appointed military president declared that nothing would stop him from contesting the 2007 presidential election. He said preparations had been made to ensure his success at the polls.
Answering reporters' questions at Government House, Makurdi, General Babangida claimed that he had privately advised President Obasanjo against the third term agenda because it was not in the interest of the people.
He, however, expressed happiness that Nigerians were expressing their views on critical national issues, stressing, "the beauty of democracy is what is happening live at the National Assembly. The views of the people on critical national issues are being expressed."
He urged the National Assembly members to remain resolute against the third term agenda, saying: "I am impressed with proceedings at the National Assembly on the issue."
Babangida and his associates were in Makurdi to attend the wedding of Governor George Akume's niece.
Flanked by Governors Akume of Benue State, Abdulkadir Kure of Niger State, Boni Haruna of Adamawa State and Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State, Babangida maintained that he was still a bona fide member of the PDP and would vie for the presidency under its banner.
Later, he led other anti-third term governors and National Assembly members to the Makurdi home of the Assistant National Auditor of the PDP, Dr. Godwin Dabo' Adzuana, for a brief meeting before he met with his supporters in Benue State.
At the meeting, Dabo' Adzuana assured Babangida of the support of the Benue people for his presidential aspiration.
He said that the third term agenda would fail because of the people's support for democracy.
Similarly, former Benue State military Administrator, Col. Aminu Isah Kontagora (rtd) has advised Obasanjo to give room to change, adding that Nigerians, through their representatives at the National Assembly, had shown that they want new leaders in 2007.
