27th September, 2010
Former military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.) a.k.a. IBB may be considering several options to actualise his ambition of contesting next yearâ€
This indication emerged after he could not explain to reporters why the symbol of the Peopleâ€
A reporter had asked him during an interaction with journalists at his Minna residence why he has not identified with PDP under whose platform he is contesting the presidential election by using the partyâ€
IBB retorted: “You didnâ€
Some observers believe Babangida deliberately avoided using the PDP symbol, which is an umbrella, on his campaign materials in case he fails to grab the partyâ€
“It would amount to a sheer waste of funds if he fails to win the nomination of PDP as hundreds of millions of naira have been spent to produce his campaign billboards, posters and flyers,†an observer argued.
When our correspondent visited various locations where IBBâ€
A visit to IBB Centre, his campaign headquarters near Mobil Roundabout on Bosso Road in Minna, showed that there is no PDP flag or logo. The story is the same in all the campaign offices in Niger State.
As the odds mount against IBB, who has collected the PDP nomination form for N11 million, filled and return it to the partyâ€
As if reading the writing on the wall, IBB had said last week that winning the PDPÂ primary is not a do-or-die affair.
He is still bitter about the zoning arrangement in his party which has not been honoured, with President Goodluck Jonathan from the South-South geopolitical zone declaring his desire to contest, thus narrowing IBBâ€
Babangidaâ€
Unconfirmed reports say Babangida may dump the presidential race following pressure from the northern elders, loyalists and his friends. This is to enable the North forge a common front and come up with a consensus candidate that could give Jonathan a tough fight at the party primary.
—Musa Aliyu/Minna