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M.K.O. Abiola’s brother campaigns for IBB
KOLA ADEPOJU,
Abeokuta
IMMEDIATE younger
brother of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12,
1993 presidential election, Mubashiru, at the weekend joined a group campaiging
for former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s 2007 ambition.
Mubashiru’s action came a few days after
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka asked Gen. Babangida to apologise to
Nigerians for annulling the poll.
Prof. Soyinka also said after apologising,
then Gen. Babangida shoudl await a response, adding that only after hearing from
the people over whether the apology is acceptaed or not, should Babangida take
any further step.
Mubashiru is to serve as patron of IBB
Vision 2007, a group spearheading the Minna-born General’s quest for 2007.
The younger Abiola took up the offer at
his Sabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital residence.
Beaming with smiles, Mubashiru declared
for Gen. Babangida at exactly 4.02 p.m. on Saturdfay when the National Co-ordinator
fo IBB Vision 2007, Alhaji Adekunle Makama=led eecutive members of the body
visited him.
Makama, who was in town to launch the
state chapter of IBB Vision 2007, set the ball rolling when he conferred the
post of patron of the group on Mubashiru, in the latter’s sitting room, amid
applause.
Moments later, Mubashiru who was obviously
elated on the conferment, declared to the crowd, including newsmen, that "I
don’t have much to say today thatn to declare that I accept the offer."
Immediately he accepted the offer, members
of IBB Vision 2007 went into wild jubilation with the state chairman of the
group, Prof. Edward Adedeji declaring that "IBB has made incursion into Abiola’s
dynasty, what else than for us to rejoice".
Prior to the visit, indications were
strong that Mubashiru would pitch his tent with Babangida, irrespective of the
feud between his late elder brother and the former military president over the
June 12, 1993 election annulment.
The younger Abiola was alleged to have
made nocturnal visits to the Minna home of the General for undisclosed purposes.
Speaking earlier, at the confcerment
event, National Co-ordinator Alhaji Makama said "on behalf of IBB, we are
pleased to be in your midst today and welcome you into IBB political family."
He stressed that "it is a fact that IBB
and Abiola have many things in common. As a result, IBB dynasty has nothing
against Abiola dynasty."
Makama assured that "all legacies of
Abiola shall be upheld in 2007 when IBB comes to power. We have therefore
offered you the hand of fellowship."
Apart from members of Mubashiru’s immediate family, none
of the children and wives of the late Chief Abiola was present at the event.
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