President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday described a former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, as his “father”.
Jonathan, while adducing reasons for his decision to visit Babangida, which many believe was in continuation of his consultation ahead of the 2015 presidential election, said he was in the retired General’s Hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital, to check on his health.
The President was accompanied by the National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki; his Chief of Staff, retired Brigadier General Jones Arogbofa; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Muhammed; a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmadu Ali, among others.
Both Babangida and Jonathan belong to the PDP.
Jonathan said he was in Minna to check on the health status of Babangida, whom he described as his “father”.
According to him, the visit also afforded him opportunity to seek suggestion on national issues, especially the security challenges confronting the country.
Jonathan said: “First and foremost, I have to use this opportunity to appreciate our leader, President Babangida, for his leadership.
“His commitment to ensuring that this country is united and we live in peace.
“Of course, you know that this is the end of the year.
“Within this period, people pay visits.
“So I have come to visit him.
“You know he just came back from a hospital abroad, not too long ago.
“Since he came back, we have not seen.
“I need to see my father to know how he is feeling.
“I am quite pleased the way I have seen him.
“Of course, you all know that as a nation, we are facing challenges.
“Security challenges all over.
“Not just in the North.
“Yes, Boko Haram in the North.
“The South is not safe.
“Commercial kidnapping and robbery.
“He (Babangida) is one of our experienced leaders.
“As somebody who is sitting where he was before, I need to see them from time to time to listen to their suggestions.
“That is one of the areas of how we can collectively move the country forward and ensure that Nigerians live in peace.
“That is the key thing and I am quite pleased that we had fruitful discussion.”
On his part, Babangida said: “What I will say is simple: The President means well for this country and he is working well for this country.
“Anybody who means well for this country should support the President to make sure that Nigeria survives as a united country.”
Why I visited Babangida my ‘father’ – Jonathan
