Babangida delays return from Germany

                                                                                    

The return of recuperating former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida from Germany may have been postponed to avoid political aspirants seeking his endorsement.

Babangida left the country on the 6th of September for a 2-week routine medical check-up but was advised to stay behind for a bone- related surgery by his doctors.

A family source told The Nation in Minna yesterday that the former military leader, who was to have returned this weekend, has postponed his trip home again till the end of the month or first week in November.

This, it was gathered, was to keep him away from some political aspirants, especially from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking his (IBB) blessing.

It was gathered that the former military leader may not return home until the end of sales of nomination forms by the ruling party.

He had earlier shifted his return date on the orders of his doctors for a 2-week post-surgery rest.

This development led to rumour that his health was in danger before President Goodluck Jonathan paid him a visit in his private home in Germany.

It was also gathered that the retired leader relocated to Germany when some politicians under the disguise of visiting the ailing leader came to seek for his blessing for their political ambitions.

His present home in Germany and telephone numbers are known only to his immediate family members and very few associates.

A governorship aspirant from Niger state, who was on a state government delegation to visit Babangida recently in Germany, was believed to have used the trip to intimate the General of his aspiration, a development that prompted others to press for a visit.

An aide to the former leader, who craved anonymity said: “Oga (IBB) has postponed his return to avoid some of these aspirants from troubling him for his blessing of their ambitions.

“Since it was rumoured that an aspirant who was on the state government delegation that visited Oga in Germany went to seek his blessing, we have been receiving requests for audience by many politicians.

“So, the family met and resolved that Oga should stay in Germany so that he can rest properly.”

He, however, said that the former leader is in good health condition.

“Oga is in good health and he is eager to return home but for this politicians,” the source stressed.