The maiden edition of Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah Lecture Series in Minna, Niger
State, brought to the fore the atmosphere of friendship between former
head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, and former military president
General Ibrahim Babangida as the latter conceded the chairmanship of the
occasion to Buhari.
Babangida was reluctant to speak at the
occasion as the chairman, but when pressed upon, got up and stated that
he could not be chairman in an occasion where Buhari was present.
“I
can’t be a chairman at this occasion when General Buhari is here, and
this is for two reasons: one he was 5 and I was 6, and those of you in
the military understand what I mean; in other words he is my senior.
Secondly, he was the head of state before me, so it is my pleasure and
honour to formally invite General Muhammadu Buhari to declare this
conference open,” IBB said, conceding the chairmanship to Buhari.
Buhari
who got up to accept the offer said in the same hilarious mood: “I
think that who is a Maradona is always a Maradona; it is very clear to
me that General Babangida is the chairman, but since I came in here, he
said to me he wouldn’t be the chairman because I was his senior and in
the military, things are considered in terms of seniority”.
He, however, added that Babangida, refused to hand over his prepared speech for the occasion.
Buhari congratulated the Mr Nda Isaiah, chairman of LEADERSHIP
Group, for the honour done him by the youths, saying that he deserved
it due to his courage and consistency.
Source: Leadership