Former Nigerian Military President General Ibrahim Babangida in a rare show of partisanship has endorsed Senate President Bukola Saraki for the Presidency in 2019.
The former military ruler pledged his support for Saraki on Sunday when the Senate President visited him at his hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.
IBB assured Saraki of his full and total support as he runs for the Presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
IBB also reiterated that he is giving Saraki his support because he believes that the economic development and security of the country are the basic principles that should drive the leadership of Nigeria and from he had seen so far, the Senate President possessed the right objectives to campaign for leadership of the country.
“You have got the objectives for leadership,” IBB told Saraki.
The retired General threw a subtle shade at the Presidency when he affirmed that unlike some of his former colleagues in the military, the unity of Nigeria remained extremely dear to him.
In his reaction Bukola Saraki was full of thanks for the endorsement by the former military ruler and assured him that he would always do his absolute best.
Related: I Will Not Step Down as Senate President, Nobody Can Impeach Me – Saraki
He further reiterated that he was not afraid of being impeached stating that those agitating for the resumption of the Senate were only doing it for their selfish political interest.
He said the postponement in the resumption of the National Assembly had nothing to do with him but was a matter of constitutional provisions.
Earlier in the week the Senate President had also affirmed that nobody could impeach him and he would not be compelled to give up his position as Senate President until the expiration of his tenure by May 29, 2019.
Dr. Saraki is hoping to get the ticket to run for the Presidency on the platform of the PDP alongside 22 others in what promises to be a hotly contested primaries slated for September 26.