Posted by By Joe Kalu on
Signs that the comeback bid by former military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida might not enjoy divine favour emerged Wednesday in Minna.
* Gov's aide dies as he prepares for rally
* Another official slumps at venue
Signs that the comeback bid by former military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida might not enjoy divine favour emerged Wednesday in Minna.
One person slumped at the venue of the 10 million-man match after delivering a speech while another, an aide to the governor of Niger State died moments after he rushed his wife to the hospital to prevent death from snatching her prematurely.
The distressing incidents occurred as two rival groups, the "IBB Like Minds" and "Vision 2007", which are jostling for dominance as the arrowhead of IBB's campaign outfit engaged in a psychological war designed to outfit and frustrate the other.
The "IBB Like Minds" had long planned to use the occasion of Babangida's 56th birthday to stage a ten million-man match at Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium, Minna.
Unknown to them Vision 2007 which enjoys the patronage of Niger State Governor Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure had other plans to deny them use of the venue.
The "Vision 2007" hurriedly arranged its National Women Conference at the same venue with state government's support.
We also gathered that some of the "Like Minds" sponsors were contacted and discouraged by the rival group.
A last minute strategy saw the "IBB Like Minds" changing their base over night from Abuja to Minna, a development which threw the spanner into the works of the self-sponsored group, which hitherto pride itself as the closest to the heart of IBB.
All the delegates were more or less stranded by that sudden shift in plan. The transporters particularly were on the neck of the co-ordinators.
The executives had hectic time managing the crisis situation.
Eventually, the Vision 2007" went and occupied the stadium with all the government VIP's in attendance including the state governor, His Excellency, Alhaji A. A. Kure and Alhaji Mohammed Babangida, son of "Evil genus".
Babangida known for his Marodonic runs was not present. He was said to have traveled out of the country suddenly.
Halfway into the occasion, there was an unusual movement of security personnel, followed by the governor and some of his aides.
This reporter sensing something might be of interest inched closer.
He discovered through a source that Hon. Nuhu Lapai, Special Adviser on Food to Governor Kure had suddenly dropped dead after he took his own wife to the hospital for admission.
The inside source hinted this publication that Nuhu was actually preparing to come to the occasion when tragedy struck.
As arrangements were on for his burial, according to Muslim rites at his village, Lapai, another tragedy struck. An official whose name was not immediately known took the stage to deliver a solidarity speech.
That was immediately after Mohammed Babangida had thanked the people for their unflinching support for his father, and apologized for his absence.
To the surprise of every one present, the speaker fell full length in public glare, and fainted.
There was commotion and good Samaritans rushed towards, at least to save his life.
Their efforts paid off. But his fall marked the end of the fun-fare.
Just about the same time (3pm), the "IBB Like Minds" assembled themselves at the old airport ground. The crowd was far below expectation, but they all the same forged ahead with their programme.
Speaking to newsmen, the National Chairman of the association, Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf attributed the scarce crowd to some logistic problems. In his address at the occasion he reassured his supporters that theirs is the right track, adding that for security reasons, Gen. Babangida (rtd) could not be present as the ban on political activities is yet to be lifted.
Yusuf urged his supporters to be committed and steadfast in whatever they do, adding that their sacrifices will not be in vain. Later, the crowd moved in a convoy round the Minna town propagating the gospel according to Babandiga.
The crowd eventually gathered at the frontage of Shiroro Hotels, Minna where the National Chairman promised to resume the inauguration of the state chapter executives soon.