Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Gusau Meet IBB In Minna – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

 Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; General Aliyu Gusau, on Sun­day, visited ex-Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at his Hill Top residence in Minna, Niger State.

It was gathered that Obasanjo arrived Minna International Air­port in Golf Steam 5 Aircraft at about 4:30p.m and drove straight to General Babangida’s residence where he joined Abdulsalami and Gusau.

A source said the four elder statesmen held a closed door meet­ing that lasted for about an hour after which Obasanjo left Minna about 6:20p.m.

He said the meeting might not be unconnected with pressing na­tional issues that bordered on the current economic challenges.

“The meeting might not be unconnected with national issues especially the current hardship be­ing faced by Nigerians. But I am not confirming to you what was discussed.”

“Obasanjo arrived Minna in company of 10 people and he drove straight to IBB’s residence. He was joined by General Abdul­salami Abubakar and General Ali­yu Gusau. The former president came in a chartered aircraft and landed at Minna Airport”, he said.

However, Obasanjo in a state­ment issued in Abeokuta on Sun­day night, explained that he visited IBB to felicitate with him on his birthday.

A statement signed by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, explained that Obasanjo could not pay a visit to IBB last month “because of his busy schedules outside the country.”

The statement indicated that Obasanjo earlier on Sunday paid a similar visit to the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion in Benin, Edo State, to felicitate with him on his 90th birthday celebration.

“After the celebration in Benin, the former president proceeded to Minna in Niger State to visit President Ibrahim Babangida, who celebrated his 83rd birthday on August 17. President Obasanjo noted the contributions of Presi­dent Babangida and celebrated his good health.

“In his remarks, Obasanjo said he could not do this earlier as he was outside the country. He prayed for continued good health for the president,” the statement said.