Jonathan visits IBB, says no part of Nigeria is safe
President Goodluck Jonathan today visited former Military President General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at his residence in Minna, Niger State. Jonathan was accompanied by National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), his Chief of Staff General Jones Arogbofa, Federal Capital Territory Minister Bala Muhammed, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Senator Ahmadu Ali, among others. […]
President Goodluck Jonathan today visited former Military President General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at his residence in Minna, Niger State.
Jonathan was accompanied by National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), his Chief of Staff General Jones Arogbofa, Federal Capital Territory Minister Bala Muhammed, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Senator Ahmadu Ali, among others.
Rising from his closed door meeting with Babangida, Jonathan told journalists that he was in Minna to know how his host was feeling after returning from a foreign hospital where he was treated recently.
The president described Babangida as his father, affirming that he is one of the experienced leaders of the country.
Jonathan said he appreciated Babangida for his leadership and commitment to the unity of the country, adding that he needed to be seeking his predecessors’ suggestions from time to time on how to move Nigeria forward.
“First and foremost, I’ve to use this opportunity to appreciate our leader, President Babangida for his leadership. His commitment to ensuring that this country is united and we live in peace. Of course, you know that this is the end of the year. Within this period, people pay visits. So, I’ve come to visit him. You know he just came back from a hospital abroad, not too long ago. Since he came back, we’ve not seen. I need to see my father to know how he is feeling. I am quite pleased the way I have seen him.
“He is one of our experienced leaders. As somebody who is sitting where he was before, I need to see them from time to time to listen to their suggestions. That is one of the areas how we can collectively move the country forward and ensure that Nigerians live in peace. That’s the key thing and I am quite pleased that we had fruitful discussion”, Jonathan said.
The president also admitted that Nigeria was facing security challenges, saying no part of the country was safe at the moment.
According to him, apart from the Boko Haram insurgency in the north, “commercial” kidnapping robbery are raging in the south.
“Of course, you all know that as a nation, we’re facing challenges: security challenges all over, not just in the North. Yes, Boko Haram in the North. The South is not safe: commercial kidnapping and robbery”, he said.
Babangida, who also addressed journalists, said Jonathan meant well for Nigeria, saying anybody who meant well for the nation should support the president for Nigeria to survive as a united country.
Babangida said: “What I will say is simple: The President means well for this country and he is working well for this country. Anybody who means well for this country should support the President to make sure that Nigeria survives as a united country”.