The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday visited former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, IBB, charging him not to relent in his efforts towards the unity, stability and development of the country.
The national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, made the call during the visit just as the former IBB described the PDP as the “guardrail of democracy”, adding that it was time to make the “appropriate turn to salvage our dear country at the crossroads.”
The two leaders spoke when the PDP national chairman led members of the National Working Committee and other leaders of the party to a crucial meeting with Babangida at his Hilltop Residence, Minna, Niger State capital on Tuesday.
According to the national publicity secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, the visit was in furtherance of PDP’s
efforts to “Rescue and Rebuild the nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress, APC.”
Ologunagba said the PDP leaders informed General Babangida that they were on the visit to tap from his extensive experience and wisdom, particularly at this time that the nation is confronted with worsening insecurity, divisiveness and excruciating economic hardship.
The PDP national chairman assured the former military president that the PDP was repositioned and poised to take over governance from the APC and bring the much-desired good governance, unity and development that had eluded the nation.
Speaking, General Babangida lamented the situation in the country adding that there was no choice before Nigerians but a concerted effort to salvage the nation from its present situation.
“As the guardrail of democracy, you need to be guided by the history of the country; our past, our present conditions and an appropriate vision
of a future for the millions of young people on our streets and the younger generations to follow,” he said.
The former military leader further noted that what the nation needed at the moment was a leadership of “genuine democrats, those who truly connect the government and the governed and banish sycophancy, handle national security with more seriousness in all its ramifications,properly earn and retain legitimacy, and above all, bring citizens back from woes and wailing and Nigeria, to the path of nationhood and development.
“For the sake of our founding fathers and unborn generations of Nigerians, we have no choice but to make the appropriate turn to salvage our dear country at the crossroads,” General Babangida stated.
PDP leaders at the meeting include former governor of Niger State, Dr.Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; and former deputy governor of Niger State, Dr. Shem Zagbanyi Nuhu; former PDP national chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; former ministers- Prof. Jerry Gana; Hassan Gimba; Abubakar Achituwo and Hajiya Zainab Maina.
Others are Sen. Zainab Abdulkadir Kure; Chief Tom Ikimi, Dino Melaye; Amb Ishaya Mujambo as well as Niger State PDP chairman, Bar. Tanko Beji and Niger State Woman Leader, Haj Sa’adatu Kolo, among many others.
Members of the NWC at the meeting include the Deputy National Chairman (North); Alhaji Umar Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe; the National Treasurer, Ahmed Mohammed, and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
