Babangida, yesterday, justified his romance with the All
Progressives Congress, APC, saying that he was "Nigerian
first before the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP."
Babangida spoke when some stalwarts of the APC, visited his
hilltop residence as well as that of General Abdulsalami
Abubakar, another former military Head of State separately in
Minna, Niger State.
Gen. Abdulsalami who also spoke to journalists shortly after
the visit ,however, said: "I cannot be wooed by the APC as I
have never been a politician. I am not a politician, and I don't
need to be wooed.''
Those who visited the former leaders included the Interim
National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, former
Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari; former governor
of Lagos State, Chief Bola Tinubu, former Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, a former Minister,
Alhaji Hassan Lawal and the party's National Woman Leader,
Mrs. Sharon Ikeaso among others.
The closed-door meeting with Gen. Babangida lasted for
about 30 minutes while the one with Gen. Abdulsalami lasted
for about 40 minutes.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Babangida said there
was nothing wrong in fraternizing with any party in the
country as long as it was for the progress of Nigeria and
Nigerians.
"Nigeria is bigger than PDP. They came to talk about Nigeria
and how to move the nation forward and there is nothing
wrong in opening my doors for them because my door is
always open to anyone that comes to consult with me on how
to move the nation forward and the APC leaders are
concerned with the welfare of the nation," he remarked.
Babangida further said that, "the APC leaders visited me to
discuss the welfare of the country which should be the
responsibility of every Nigerian, whether you belong to a
party or you do not have a party. You have an assignment to
protect the integrity of the country. People who come to talk
about Nigeria and the way forward will always be welcomed
by me. We have to find a way forward for this generation,
what we are doing is for this generation."
He explained that the meeting centred ''on the welfare, well-
being, education, security and economic well-being of the
country,'' adding that ''anything that would promote and
move the country forward would be encouraged by me."
Similarly, Abdulsalami said after the meeting that though he
was not a politician, he was, however, free to discus and
fraternise with politicians who had the progress of the country
at heart.
He said his own meeting centred on the amalgamation of the
new party, how they were doing, how far they had gone and
how things were moving, adding that he only used the
opportunity to advise them on how to move the country
forward devoid of violence.
Via: Vanguard
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