Former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has thrown his weight behind Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, presidential aspirant and immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking at his Hilltop mansion residence in Minna Saturday, while Senator Makarfi paid him a courtesy call, the man popularly referred to as IBB said Makarfi restored his hope of a new Nigeria.
“Without fear or favour, you have made my day,” the ex Head of State started in his response to Makarfi’s earlier address which focused on some of the challenges being faced in the country and the ways to resolve them.
“We need a new narrative in this country. We can’t go on like we used to. We need an articulated vision of a new Nigeria. I am not surprised that you give such narrative of the country. You did well in the legislature and you handled well one the most civilised and sophisticated states in Nigeria.
“You have my blessings and I will look forward to hearing from you on some of these articulations I heard from you today. Honestly I feel so proud.
“I was almost losing hope in the country, as a military man I wouldn’t. But having heard from the distinguished senator, I have become more enlightened and emboldened to say we have hope in Nigeria,” IBB told Makarfi.
Senator Makarfi had earlier told the retired general that while the issue of restructuring cannot be overemphasised, it requires to be driven by a leader who is trusted along tribal and religious lines such that it would be a win-win situation for all parts of the country.
He equally stressed the need for wealth redistribution in job creation adding that the true wealth of any nation is in the wealth of the people, among other issues.