There were indications on Monday that the plan by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to contest the 2010 presidential poll on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party had hit a brick wall.



Investigations showed that anti-Babangida forces in the ANPP had concluded arrangements to invoke Article 9.3 (iv) of the party’s constitution to bar the former military dictator from contesting on the platform of the party.



According to Article 9.3 (IV) of the constitution, “Every member shall have the right to vote and be voted for into any office or post in the party during any election, provided such a member has been in the party for a period of 12 months and has been active and is a current financial member, subject to any qualification, rules and regulations of this constitution.”



The PUNCH learnt on Monday that Babangida had intensified efforts to get the ANPP’s presidential ticket because his possibility of running on the platform of the PDP had reduced.



A senior member of the ANPP, who pleaded anonymity, said, “With more PDP governors supporting President Goodluck Jonathan, he (Babangida) has discovered that the possibility of getting the ruling party’s ticket is slim.



“You will recall that last week, some governors, including Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Alhaji Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), who were hitherto said to be supporting Babangida, joined Jonathan’s camp and were in fact given roles in the President’s campaign.”



Our correspondent gathered that Babangida’s presidential ambition had run into stormy weather, as the majority of members of the ANPP had vowed to prevent an amendment of Article 9.3 (IV) of the party’s constitution to favour him.



Investigations showed that the pro-Babangida group in the ANPP had been making moves to amend the provision of the constitution, which prevented new members from contesting elective posts.



But it was learnt that a group supported by Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau was opposed to the amendment of the constitution to favour the ex-military dictator.



The group, which enjoys the support of the majority of members of the party, had two weeks ago constituted a transition committee led by Senator Mohammed Mohammed.



However, the rival group led by the immediate past chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, constituted another transition committee, headed by a former Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu. The Ume-Ezeoke group is said to be sympathetic to the former military dictator.



The spokesperson for the Senator Mohammed-led group, who is also the Imo State ANPP Chairman, Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, had in an interview, said that Babangida was not a member of the party.



He had said, “We have credible people in the party who can sail when it comes to a presidential contest. Our party is free for every Nigerian to join. And if you join the party, you must follow the laid down rules. I am confident to say here that IBB is not a member of our party.”



Also, a chieftain of the party, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, told one of our correspondents on the telephone that only a loyal member of the party would get its ticket to contest the 2011 presidential election.



Commenting on Babangida’s alleged plan to contest on the platform of the party, he said, “I am not aware. It is not impossible that he has approached some members because we have many caucuses. When the time comes, the party will decide, based on what it has suffered in the hands of defectors.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100914252646

IBB, u had an opportunity to be a Hero, but u throw it away by not handing over to MKO. Opportunity comes but once, so wait 4 next life because we cant allow u to hand over Nigeria again to another Abacha & Al mustapha. Goodluck as already taken 2011, IBB wait 4 next life & if i thot u 4got something in Aso rock,just said it we wil take it to court 4 u to go & pick it.

Hmmm IBB is such an irritant. . . . the man has failed .

painful thing is, all them sycophants around him wont tell him the truth until he disgraces himself publicly

googles:

Hmmm IBB is such an irritant. . . . the man has failed .

painful thing is, all them sycophants around him wont tell him the truth until he disgraces himself publicly

he's their pot of soup. . . He doesnt listen to anything except 2011.

Dotman01:

he's their pot of soup. . . He doesnt listen to anything except 2011.

kai. . . .2011, another humpty dumpty will fall in Nigeria

just like forever nobody will be able to piece up the smashed humpty dumpty. not even his millions of stolen money