TheCable

Bola Tinubu, presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he visited Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), former military head of state, to “receive his prayers”.

TheCable had reported how the APC chieftain paid a visit to Babangida in Minna, Niger state, as part of his nationwide consultation on his presidential bid in 2023.

The former governor of Lagos recently announced that he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his decision to run for president.

According to the APC chieftain, becoming Nigeria’s president has been his longstanding ambition.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday after meeting with Babangida, Tinubu said he cannot visit Niger state without paying the retired general a courtesy call.

“There is no way I will visit Niger state without visiting IBB and receive his prayers. I cannot come to Niger state and not stop by to pay a courtesy call on the enigma, general Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida,” Tinubu said.

“If you (journalists) restrict my visit to this house, that is it. Generally, I came to Niger state to commiserate with the Governor and the people of Niger state. And so, I can’t stop by without paying a courtesy call to the enigma, general Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.”

“He gave me his prayers. We are running a democracy. I took my decision voluntarily and I am running for the presidency of the country.

“When I made the declaration, I told you that I am still consulting and I will consult as widely as possible.”