Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC leader, who recently declared his intention to contest for the office of the president, has visited Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, in his hometown, Minna, Niger State. Tinubu was in IBB’s house apparently, to intimate him on his ambition to vie for the position of President of the country in the coming election and also to seek his blessings.
Recently, a group said to be in support, and which had been urging the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, to contest for the presidential election, visited IBB in his Minna mansion to intimate him of their support for the Vice President if he decides to join the race. IBB, it was reported, extolled the sterling qualities of the vice president.
In the past, other presidential candidates such as Goodluck Jonathan also visited IBB in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election to seek his blessings. The question is, why do politicians, especially those seeking to become President find it imperative to be a guest of IBB at such a crucial time?
IBB ruled Nigeria as a military dictator from 1985 to 1993. During his days, he bestrode the corridors of power like a colossus. He understood so much of the power game and he wielded so much influence among the political class at that time. His shrewdness to always outsmart his opponents earned him the sobriquet ” Maradonna”. While most world’s military dictators were unrepentant hardliners, IBB operated a people-centred government that greatly endeared him to the heart of many. This underscored his choice to be called a ‘president’, instead of ‘Head of State’ as used by military rulers.
Now that he has left power and he is living in his posh mansion, politicians still see him as an enigma whose endorsement will sway public feelings in their favour.
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