The past months have seen Presidential aspirants make strategic moves towards the 2019 general elections. Most of them have been paying visits to political heavyweights to garner their supports.
Notable among political savvy individuals who have been receiving such visits is Retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).
We bring you some of the visits made by presidential aspirants in the past four months.
Atiku Abubakar
A former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited the former Military President at the latter’s Hill-top residence in Minna, Niger State.
The visit which was made on Sunday, the 1st of July was Atiku’s second meeting with IBB in 7 months
Although details of what transpired at the meeting were sketchy as journalists were barred from entering the former leader’s residence, sources said the visit may not be unconnected with the presidential ambition of the former vice president.
Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi
The immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi also paid a visit to Babangida at his residence in Minna, Niger State.
The visit which was made on Saturday, the 4th of August saw Ahmed Makarfi highlight some of the challenges facing the country and the way to solve them.
Responding, General Ibrahim Babangida thanked the Presidential Aspirant for restoring his hope in Nigeria. The retired general also gave his blessings to Makarfi, noting that he is proud of the aspirant.
Bukola Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki held a private meeting with the former military president at his Hilltop residence in Minna on Wednesday the 8th of August.
Although it is not clear whether Mr Saraki came to discuss his presidential ambition with Babangida, he however, has not deny nursing the ambition.
Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa
Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa is the third presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pay a visit to General Ibrahim Babangida this month.
The visit which was made on Monday, the 13th of August saw the former Governor of Sokoto state hold a closed door meetings with the retired general at his Hilltop residence of the former military head of state where the two personalities met behind closed doors for more than one hour.
Although the outcome of their meeting was not made known, the aspirant must have briefed the former Military President and enlisted his support for his presidential aspiration.
Sule Lamido
Sule Lamido is so far, the latest presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to pay a visit to General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
The visit which was made on Tuesday, the 14th of August saw Sule Lamido discuss his presidential ambition with the retired general while also tapping from his immense political knowledge.
He further solicited prayer and advice from IBB who also gave the presidential aspirant his blessings.
(Daily Trust)
