Nigerian Newsday

By Kajo Martins, Makurdi

The co-ordinator of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) for president in Benue State, Chief Mrs. Margaret Icheen, has called on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in the state to work tirelessly for him (IBB) to emerge the party’s flag bearer in the forth coming presidential primaries ahead of 2007.

Addressing a stakeholders meeting of IBB at Royal Choice Inn, Makurdi recently, Mrs. Icheen said it was time for delegates and the entire people of the state to voice out what IBB did for them and the entire state during his eight years rule as military president.

Mrs. Icheen who was the former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly explained that the maiden meeting was also meant to join forces and brain storm as well as to sensitise the people on what the state stand to gain if Babangida emerge as the president in 2007 on the ticket of Peoples Democratic Party.

Also speaking, a senatorial aspirant for Benue North-East district, Dr. Godwin Dabo, described General Babangida as a poor man who is only living on the goodwill of the people he assisted when he was in power. He appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to reciprocate what he (IBB) did for them.

The PDP North-Central auditor revealed that it was under IBB that Benue State University was established along with the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, apart from appointments of Benue indigenes in juicy posts and called for concreted efforts to make him president in 2007.

In his remarks, another senatorial hopeful for zone ‘B’, Mr. Mike Mku, said Benue State is always for Babangida for what he did in the past and said if voted into the senate, the state will witness rapid development in terms of social amenities.

Also speaking, Mr. Targema Takema, who is vying for the House of Representatives for Gboko/Tarka constituency said that IBB had already set up a committee to look at the mistakes he committed in his eight year rule aimed at correcting them when he would assume office as president in 2007.

Barrister Takema explained that the IBB 2007 project was not out to oppose the Obasanjo policies and programmes. "Issues that will bring controversy on IBB such as the death of Dele Giwa, oil windfall does not arise here. Talking about Dele Giwa is like charging Obasanjo on the death of Harry Marshall, Bola Ige and the host of others", he said.

Those that attended the meeting are Gen. India Garba (rtd), Mr. Haa Orpin, Dr. Godwin Dabo, Felix Gbira, Theresa Baai, Sule Audu, Mike Adyo, John Ghasha and Chief Godwin Obla the immediate past chairman of Otukpo Local Government.