IBB shuns Niger East bye-election

Former Military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, was conspicuously absent from the much-hyped Niger East Senatorial District bye-election, which took place in nine local government councils on Saturday.

General Babangida and his entire household were absent from the exercise as none of them showed up to be part of it at their Hilltop Polling Unit.

Babangida was said to have travelled out of town.

Babangida, who is said to have received the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress, led by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the Kano state Governor, Alhaji Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, barely 48 hours to the election, was said to have travelled out to attend to some pressing personal needs.

The Niger-East Senatorial District seat became vacant following the demise of the former occupant, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, in June 2014.

The two strong contenders for the upper chamber of the National Assembly are Barrister David Umaru of the APC and Dr. Nuhu Zagbayi of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Babangida is a member of the PDP.