Babangida contributed to Nigeria’s development — Peter Obi

Peter Obi and Ibrahim Babangida

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Wednesday congratulated the former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) on his 81st birthday.

Mr Obi said Babangida contributed greatly to Nigeria’s development through his economic plan which laid emphasis on private sector-driven economy.

“With a strong private sector participation in the economy, it became freed from excessive government involvement and cut off the wastages and unproductivity associated with the public sector,” Obi said in his congratulatory message.

The former governor of Anambra State also described Babangida as a detribalised Nigerian who sought for a more united and progressive Nigeria. He stated that such spirit of unity and cohesion is lacking in the present day Nigeria.

He prayed God to grant Babangida more health of mind and body. Obi also called on him to continue to play a fatherly role to the nation, especially at this critical time when the nation needs to get its leadership right, revamp the economy and reunite the country.

Obi visited Babangida last month in Minna over his presidential ambition.