Two former military generals, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Aliyu Gusau,have confirmed their surrender to the well-oiled political machinery of a civilian, former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, in the Northern Nigeria's search for a consensus presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
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In a press statement today accepting the collapse of Babangida's presidential aspirations, Raymond Dokpesi, the Director of the Babangida Presidential Campaign Organisation, congratulated Atiku and committed the campaign "to all the elements of the Consensus Agreement and understanding." The terms of the Consensus Agreement were not made known.
Also congratulating the former vice-president, Ben Obi, the Director-General of the Aliyu Gusau Campaign Organization, recalled that his principal had always maintained that electoral contest "should not be a do or die affair."
Extending its hand of fellowship to Atiku Abubakar , the statement urged followers of General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau to "remain calm and undeterred by this outcome, urging them to await further directives."
In his statement, which seemed to target the candidature of incumbent, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Dokpesi said, "In between the Adamu Ciroma committee on the one hand, and the aspirants on the other, there is a fundamental lesson which the Nigerian people, over time, will appreciate much more than now. Democracy can only be sustained and flourish under the principles of justice, rule of law, equity, and determination, particularly on the part of leadership to respect, adhere and advance the framework of upholding the constitution not only of the country, but also of various institutions such as the constitution of the Peoples' Democratic Party. "
In a pointed remark aimed at the argument that Jonathan has violated the PDP's zoning mechanism by choosing to run in the next election, the IBB Campaign said, "You cannot breach the rules and regulations of the Party and yet pretend to foster the rules and regulations of Nigeria. Human conduct is a logical system and not merely of opportunism; more so under a regime of democracy and constitutional government."
End Of The Evil Genius: Humbled IBB Surrenders To Atiku; Gusau, Too! (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/end-evil-genius-humbled-ibb-surrenders-atiku-gusau-too)