I was almost losing hope in Nigeria— IBB

Former head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, has revealed that he was almost losing hope in Nigeria, adding though as soldier, he is not supposed to.

The former military strongman, however said his hope in the country was rekindled after listening to Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s vision for Nigeria.

Babangida stated this on Saturday when the Ahmed Makarfi Presidential Campaign team visited him at his Hilltop Mansion, to seek his blessing for the former Kaduna State governor’s presidential ambition.

Makarfi, a former National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is one of the several top members of the party seeking its ticket for the 2019 presidential election.

Others include a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, amongst others.

A statement from the Makarfi Campaign Team quotes Babangida as saying: “Without fear or favour, you have made my day.

Read also: Defection: Gov Ayade clears the air

“We need a new narrative in this country. We can’t go on like we used to. We need an articulated vision of a new Nigeria. I am not surprised that you give such narrative of the country. You did well in the legislature and you handled well one the most civilised and sophisticated states in Nigeria.

“You have my blessings and I will look forward to hearing from you on some of these articulations I heard from you today. Honestly I feel so proud.

“I was almost losing hope in the country, as a military man I wouldn’t. But having heard from the distinguished senator, I have become more enlightened and emboldened to say we have hope in Nigeria,” IBB told Makarfi.

The statement also qoutes Senator Makarfi as telling IBB that while the issue of restructuring cannot be over emphasised, it requires to be driven by a leader who is trusted along tribal and religious lines such that it would be a win-win situation for all parts of the country.

The former governor also stressed the need for wealth redistribution in job creation and that the true wealth of any nation is in the wealth of the people.

 

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