TheCable

Shehu Sani, lawmaker representing Kaduna central senatorial district, has described the statement released by former military president Ibrahim Babangida as “a bullet shot with flowers”.

In the statement issued on Sunday, Babangida demanded a generational shift in the country’s leadership ahead of the 2019 elections.

“I do not intend to deny President Buhari his inalienable right to vote and be voted for, but there comes a time in the life of a nation, when personal ambition should not override national interest,” he had said.

“This is the time for us to reinvent the will and tap into the resourcefulness of the younger generation, stimulate their entrepreneurial initiatives and provoke a conduce environment to grow national economy both at the micro and macro levels.”

Reacting to the statement, Sani said it carried the “real message”.

He also described the counter statement as “a phase in the drama”.

Shortly after Babaginda’s statement went viral, another statement denying the content of the first one was issued.

Writing via his Twitter handle, the senator said: “The first statement carried the real message.

“The counter statement was simply a phase in the drama. The message was fully delivered while the recipient and the audience were left in suspense. It’s a bullet shot with flowers.”

The first statement carried the real message.The counter statement was simply a phase in the drama.The message was fully delivered while the recipient and the audience were left in suspense.Its a bullet shot with flowers.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) February 4, 2018

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Babangida spoke shortly after former president Olusegun Obasanjo advised Buhari against seeking re-election.

Although the president is yet to declare his intention for a second term in office, the statements have generated intense public debate.