2011 Presidential Election: Ibrahim Babangida's Campaign Team Innaugurated

[Adex4LOVE]

THE race for 2011 presidency gathered momentum Thursday, with ex-President Ibrahim Babangida raising a 10-man campaign organisation.

The ex-President is expected to make a formal declaration of his plan to run on September 14 and 15, which had earlier been set aside by the strategists of President Goodluck Jonathan for the same purpose.

It was also learnt that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have decided to keep their game-plan on a consensus presidential candidate under wraps.

A statement by the Director, Media and Communications, of Babangida Presidential Campaign Organisation, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the ex-military president would unveil his blueprint during the declaration.

The statement said: "In furtherance of the presidential aspiration of His Excellency, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, the following persons have been appointed and accepted to serve in the Presidential Campaign Organisation in the various categories of the campaign.

"They are High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi,OFR (Director General); Senator Kanti Bello (Deputy Director General); Alhaji Sada Ilu (Director, Security &Intelligence), ex-Minister of Health, Prof. A.B.C Nwosu (Director, Research &Planning);  a former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire (Director, Policy & Strategy);Prince Kassim Afegbua (Director, Media and communications); Mrs. Remi Adiukwu-Bakare (Director, Women Affairs); Alhaji Farouk Bibi-Farouk(Director, Youths Affairs); Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam (Director, Contact & Mobilisation); and a former Minister of Justice, Hon Musa Elayo (Director, Legal Services).

"The comprehensive list of the Zonal and States' Coordinators will be announced in due course. The temporary Campaign Office is located at 77B, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja.

"The formal presidential declaration ceremony will come up on the 14th and 15th September, 2010 at the Eagle Square, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The event will avail Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the opportunity to unveil his blueprint to members of the public."

As of press time, it was learnt that the Campaign Organisation of President Goodluck Jonathan might change the date of his declaration to avert any clash.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "With Babangida's camp choosing the same dates proposed by our team, we may either ask the President to declare on or before September 12 or a day after theirs.
"All I can tell you is that we will coordinate our campaign in a manner that the nation will not be heated up unnecessarily."

There were strong indications yesterday that PDP governors are keeping their game-plan on a consensus candidate for 2011 presidential poll to their chest.

According to findings, five Northern governors were considered as leading candidates on Tuesday.

The governors are Dr. Bukola Saraki (Kwara); Alhaji Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Admiral Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); and Sule Lamido (Jigawa).

A source said: "It is not as if the governors do not have a mindset on where they are going but they have kept their game-plan secret because of certain political developments, especially consultations with some stakeholders.

"At the right time, the governors will come up with a position on a common candidate. Just wait and see."

Source: The Nation - 2011: Dokpesi, Oyovbaire,  Nwosu, seven others in Babangida's campaign team