Laleye Dipo in Minna
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was in Minna, the Niger State capital, yesterday during which he held a meeting with former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), at his residence.
The meeting held behind closed-doors, lasted for two hours with the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, in attendance.
After one hour of talks, the trio came out to observe the afternoon prayer before returning to continue the parley.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Atiku declined to give details of his discussion, preferring to say he came to greet the former military president after his return to the country from a medical vacation in Germany.
“I came to visit Babangida and to wish him well, since he returned from medical vacation abroad, I have not visited him,” he stated.
Asked what his opinion was on the restructuring of the country being clamoured for by some people, the former vice-president said: “It is up to Nigerians to decide the restructuring of Nigeria.”
Atiku also said he would not advise government on state matters on the pages of newspapers.
“If I have to advise the government, I will do that in confidence because I was in government before, so it would not be nice for me to advise government on the pages of newspapers.
“My advice to government will now be confidential and not for public consumption,” he stated.
The former vice-president had arrived at Minna Airport at about 12.40p.m. in a private aircraft tagged T7AAA and was received by the state Governor, Bello.
The duo then proceeded to the residence of the former military leader where the meeting took place.
He was accompanied by Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, Captain Yahaya Gombe (rtd), Alhaja Kwaironga Jada, Senator Mohammed Magoro and Alhaji Jemilu Jibrilu.
