Babangida: I will mobilise retired Generals for Buhari

Almost 30 years after he removed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, from office as Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, on Monday, pledged to ensure his victory in the February 14 election.
Buhari, Nigeria’s seventh Commander-in-Chief, was toppled on August 27, 1985 by military officers led by Babangida. Since the coming of democracy in 1999, Buhari had contested the presidential election thrice – 2003, 2007 and 2011.
Babangida, who spoke when Buhari visited his Uphill residence in Minna, Niger State, said he would also mobilise retired military Generals to support Buhari.
He said: “You have beaten some of us in proving General Douglas McArthur’s theory that ‘old soldiers never die but fade away gradually’, but you have refused to fade away.
“I wish to congratulate members of the party for the honour of nominating my colleague, General Muhammadu Buhari, as your presidential candidate in the 2015 election.
“You media men have created this impression that we are fighting each other. Look at us here today, he knows what I mean and I know what he means. We both fought to keep Nigeria one when we were young majors then. We were well travelled.
“I want to commend APC for choosing our colleague as their flag bearer. All of us will support you (Buhari) in this course to salvage this country,” Babangida declared.
An elated Buhari thanked Babangida for the open support.