“This is 90 minutes game and Buhari is about to finish the first 45 minutes, so, we appeal to Nigerians to give him the support, to finish the second half”
John Adams, Minna
Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, met with former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, behind closed doors, at his Hilltop residence, in Minna, capital of Niger State, yesterday.
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The former Abia state governor arrived at Babangida’s home at exactly 12:08 p.m., in three black Lexus Sports Utility Vehicles and two Hilux vans occupied by the security personnel.
Kalu and his entourage here ushered into the visitors room of the former president; where they met the waiting General.
The entourage here later asked to excuse the duo before they continued the meeting behind closed doors.
Although details of the meeting were not known, Kalu told newsmen after the three-hour meeting that he was in Minna, to solicit Babangida’s support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid.
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“I came to Minna, as part of my nationwide campaign for president Muhammadu for 2019 and like you all know, my Boss (IBB) is a critical stakeholder as far as 2019 is concern, and that is why you see a lot of PDP people coming around to seek for his support.
“My visit today (yesterday) was very encouraging because I had heart-to-heart talk with General Babangida. I have convinced him why he and his allies should support president Buhari for 2019; to finish his second tenure.”
Asked what Babangida’s response was, Kalu replied: “The response was blue and white. We have discussed and he said he is thinking about it, so, I believe February 16, 2019, is still a long way to go. We will continue to talk. I think the response was a positive one and I am happy about it.”
He also disclosed that, in continuation of his consultations with stakeholders, to solicit for support for Buhari’s re-election, he has met with critical stakeholders within and outside the country, including the United State of America (USA), Britain and Germany.
“I have met a number of stakeholders on this project, Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike and I can assure you that we get positive responses and we are almost getting to where we want to be, as far as 2019 is concerned.
Kalu also said it is only God that can stop Buhari from winning in 2019 and listed his achievements to include “the construction everywhere, the railway lines, the second Niger Bridge, the increase in foreign reserves…”
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He maintained that Nigeria, as a country, needs stability in governance, for sustainable development and “that is why president Buhari must be allowed to finish his second term.
“This is 90 minutes game and Buhari is about to finish the first 45 minutes, so, we appeal to Nigerians to give him the support, to finish the second half of this all important game of politics”.
On the crisis rocking the ruling party across the country, he noted: “Crisis is part of politics. If there is no crisis, there will be no political development because crisis in a party is what makes politics interesting.”