Former Nigeria Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has disclosed that he his endorsing a former Minister for Special Duties during the Administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as the right aspirant for president come 2019 because of his agenda in ensuring Nigeria’s unity.
While throwing his weight behind the Peoples Democratic Party aspirant, Babangida said: “Your agenda is capable of redeeming Nigeria.”
Babangida gave this assertion on Tuesday when he played host to the PDP presidential aspirant at his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State that Nigeria’s Unity must not be compromised.
According to him: “I am endorsing you because your road map can lead Nigeria to prosperity.
“We are taught in the Military that the unity of Nigeria must not be compromised.
“The programmes in your agenda are capable of transforming Nigeria.
“From your agenda, I believe you mean well for this country.
“I think if you are given the chance, Nigeria will witness tremendous development.”
Babangida further disclosed that the unity of Nigeria is to be held above all other issues, adding: “Nigeria has never been so divided.”
Babangida, however, warned: “Even though I have adopted you and you emerge as the president, I will follow you up so that if you derail, I will remind you of your promises.”
In his earlier remarks, Turaki, who was on a sensitisation visit to PDP stakeholders in Niger State, assured that he will tackle insecurity, the decline in national security, worsening economy as well as increasing unemployment among the youths when he emerges as president.
Accordingly, he said: “If voted into power, I will implement policies and programmes that will bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.
“I have all that is needed to improve the country.”
Addressing stakeholders at the State PDP Secretariat, Turaki lamented that insecurity was increasing in the country, submitting also that not less than 22 out of the 36 states in the country were under one form of insecurity or the other.
He blamed the escalating insecurity on unnecessary rivalry among the security chiefs, adding that if he were to be the president he would have sacked all the security chiefs.
According to him: “Insecurity is now spreading to Sokoto, Niger, Kebbi in fact not less than 22 states in the country are under one form of insecurity or the other.”
While lambasting the All Progressives Congress, Turaki said: “I blame the APC government for opening door for theft of public funds.
“Corruption in public offices are more now than during the PDP.
“They could not curtail the Boko Haram menace, which has even transcended to what we call killer herdsmen who have now infiltrated many states.
“They (APC) had accused the PDP of corruption and insecurity, but now that they were given the opportunity, they failed.”
Also, State Chairman of the PDP, Barrister Tanko Beji, assured that as the first aspirant to visit the State and with his transparency, the State will support him.
Beji said: “You are the first presidential aspirant to visit us and because of that, you have an edge over others.
“We have agreed in Niger that any aspirant who doesn’t come to us will not get our votes.
“We have 106 delegates as a state.
“We need a candidate like you who can tackle the problems that are currently bedevilling our nation.
“I can assure you that 14 days to the primaries, we will send you the names of our delegates and we will be fair in our dealings with you.
“For the PDP to win the 2019 presidential election, it should avoid impunity by allowing the will of delegates to prevail during the primary election.”