Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), has turned down an invitation to attend the planned rebranding conference of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he has long retired from partisan politics.
Babangida made his position known in a statement personally signed by him and titled, “PDP Rebranding Conference: Count Me Out.”
The PDP is scheduled to hold the rebranding conference on Thursday, November 12, 2015, as part of efforts to reposition the party following its defeat in the 2015 general elections.
While appreciating the invitation as a mark of respect to him as one of the party’s founding figures, Babangida said he would not participate because he had already withdrawn from partisan politics.
He wrote: “I wish to make some clarifications concerning the invitation extended to me on the scheduled PDP Rebranding Conference slated for Thursday, 12 November, 2015, aimed at repositioning the party after its poor outing at the last elections.
“While I welcome the invitation to the event as a mark of respect as one of the founding fathers, I want to be excused on the grounds that I have long bid bye to partisan politics.”
Babangida recalled that four years earlier, at an event held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, he had announced his retirement from partisan politics following his unsuccessful attempt to contest the presidency.
According to him, attaining the age of 70 in 2011 also influenced his decision to step away from active partisan politics.
He said he had since 2011 continued to play the role of an elder statesman and “consultant-in-chief” to politicians and others seeking his advice on their political aspirations.
“At 74, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment in my new role as non-partisan elder statesman and a patriot; available to all categories of persons without the burgeoning label of any political party or affiliation,” he said.
The former military leader noted that he had friends and associates across the two major political parties, the APC and PDP, as well as other political parties.
He explained that remaining non-partisan would enable him to relate freely with political associates without being branded as belonging to or working against a particular party.
Babangida also dismissed reports or suggestions that the PDP’s rebranding exercise could be connected to preparing him for another presidential contest in 2019.
“I have heard whispers from different political arenas that one of the rationales for the rebranding of PDP was to prepare me for future elections in 2019. How ridiculous?” he said.
He added that he would be 78 years old by 2019 and had no intention of seeking political office again.
“If I called it quits in 2011, why would PDP contemplate fielding a 78-year-old man in a presidential election in a country that parades very vibrant men and women of lesser age?” Babangida asked.
“I have no intention whatsoever to run for any office again in Nigeria. I will consistently pray to Almighty Allah to grant me good health and sound mind to watch my dearest beloved country grow from strength to strength during my lifetime and beyond.”
Babangida, however, wished the PDP success in its planned rebranding exercise and urged Nigerians to work towards strengthening national unity.
“While I wish PDP the best of luck in its desire to rebrand for future electoral challenges, I wish Nigeria and Nigerians the uncommon wisdom to manage our internal contradictions for the sustenance of national unity,” he said.
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