The All Progressive Congress, APC, in its determination to pull as many converts as possible to the party, has visited two former Nigeria leaders, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, Niger state.
The party chieftain on the mission to Links on Wednesday included the national chairman, Bisi Akande, former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari, former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, former works minister, Hassan Lawal and the national woman leader, Sharon Ikeaso.
Speaking to newsmen after the separate closed door meetings, Babangida while responding to questions about his fraternity with the opposition, said the country was bigger than Peolpes Democratic Party, PDP.
Carefully avoiding to say whether he was going to decamp to the APC, the former military ruler said he would continue to welcome suggestions from any quarter that is aimed at moving the nation forward, as the progress of the was his utmost desire.
“The APC leaders visited me to discuss the welfare of the country which should be the responsibility of every Nigerian whether you belong to a party or you do not have a party, you have an assignment assigned to you to protect the integrity of the country,” the said.
He told journalists that the closed-door meeting discussed issues that have to do with the welfare of Nigerians in sectors such as education, security and economy as a whole.
“Anything that would promote and move the country forward would be encouraged by me”, Babangida stated.
On his part, Abubakar said he cannot be wooed by the APC as he had never been a politician.
“I am not a politician, I am not a partisan politician and I don’t need to be wooed,” he said.
He said he was briefed by the APC leaders on the amalgamation of the new party, how they are doing, how far they have gone and how things are moving, adding that he has given them his advice.
“What I told them, they have already heard. I’ve advised them on how all of us need this country and to make sure that we maintain peace in the country,” he said.
Akande said they were in the state to consult with former leaders of the country so that they can be properly guided in the running of the activities of the party.
He added that the consultations would continue until they have visited and consulted with all the “wise men” in Nigeria.
On his part, Tinubu said the APC was committed to planning for a better tomorrow now, so that younger generations would have a better country to live.
“We are concerned with the well-being of Nigerians especially the young ones. We need to advocate for a future that belongs to all of us. A stable country that will promote peace, prosperity and diversity,” he said.
Justifying the reach out to past leaders, Tinubu said, “we have a lot of leaders that have been there before. They have seen Nigeria largely and governed the country, we have to look for them as we plan for the future.”
