Nigeria‘s former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, has advised political leaders not to negotiate the unity of the country for nothing.
Babangida gave the advice on Tuesday, when he received a presidential hopeful, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who paid him a consultation visit at his hilltop residence in Minna.
Adebayo, the founder of Kaftan Television, speaking to reporters after his meeting with Babangida, said that the former president advised him not to negotiate the unity of the country.
The challenger, under the Third Force, said he was in Minna to seek Babangida’s support, blessings, prayers and advice in his quest to run in the 2023 presidential election.
Adebayo said the former president emphasized the need to make each election in Nigeria better than any before it to deepen the country’s democracy for a glorious future.
“Former President Babangida believed that we should not negotiate the unity of this country regardless of the challenges we face.
“He also advised me that if I am to be successful as the president of Nigeria, I must practice a mini Nigeria every time, even at home.
“He said that even in his home, when someone looks around, they must see a mini Nigerian setup there.
“He added that even in your thinking, when you are alone, you should think holistically, not a section of it. That you have to receive advice from all over the country,” said Adebayo.
The presidential hopeful also said that Babangida highlighted the role of Nigerians in the diaspora in the country’s development, recalling why he involved them in his administration.
According to Adebayo, the former president emphasized the role of prayers and the need to think ahead, saying “you have to work very hard because Nigeria has a lot of talented people and if you want to be number one, you have to go the extra mile.”
He praised the fatherly role that Banagida played in his life for many years, adding that the visit was pivotal given his eight years of experience as president and his contributions to Nigeria’s development.
“He has served in the office of the president for eight years,” adding that he laid many foundations for the country, created Abuja, the capital city, and many others.
NAN
