MAIDUGURI, the Borno State capital literally came to a stand still yesterday. Politicians, traditional rulers, businessmen and members of the diplomatic corps gathered in the town to witness the marriage of Mohammed, son of former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, to former Miss Rahma Indimi, daughter of a businessman, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi.
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It was essentially a handshake session. The joining of the couple, in line with the Islamic faith called Nika, was conducted in the palatial home of the Indimis on Damboa Road, uptown Maiduguri. It lasted about 20 minutes.
The attendance was, however, calculated to make a statement. At least, 12 private and commercial aircraft swooped on the Maiduguri airport, which became a scene of handshakes and backslapping.
Strikingly, the attendance cut across several interests. They rode in a long motorcade of exotic cars and air-conditioned buses through the streets leading to the venue.
Notable among personalities present were Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) who, like Babangida, are speculated to be eyeing the presidential race in 2007.
Also in attendance were former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Head of the Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan and Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad.
There were the Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Bello.
State Governors included Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Adamu Mu'azu (Bauchi), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Abdulkadir Kure (Niger), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa) and the host governor, Alhaji Modu Sheriff.
Political chieftains, retired senior military officers especially those tagged, "IBB boys" and businessmen arrived in great numbers. They included former presidential candidates, Chief Olu Falae and running mate, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Alhaji Mahmud Waziri and retired Maj. Gen. Abdulkarim Adisa, Air Vice-Marshal Anthony Okpere and Brig. Gen. Raji Rasaki.
There were top government functionaries right from the federal level to the states and local governments.
In view of the subtle political campaign at the ceremony, as championed by a group that calls itself, "IBB Vision 2007," its leader, one Alhaji Hameed Adekunle Makama, said that: "You can see with your own eyes the manner of people that turn out for this wedding.
"You can see that, even though this is a social event, it is also a clear demonstration of these people's support for the 'President' (General Babangida). You can see where the pendulum is actually swinging."
This position had the support of the group's North East zonal coordinator, Mr Mohammed Kadai. To him, "even though the 'President' does not want anyone to make noise about his 2007 ambitions, he cannot run away from the fact that this is one of the ways people want to demonstrate their support for his return."
Senator Remi Okunrinboye, chairman of Jofec Limited, also made allusion to the support for Babangida, urging the people of the Southwest to forget what happened in the past and reposition the zone "for a favourable mainstream status in the politics of Nigeria."
Overzealous security details did not allow for meaningful press interaction with General Babangida. However, fielding question on his 2007 ambition, he retorted: "Is that the most important thing now
I don't want to say anything about that now."
On other burning national issues like the settler/indigene crisis tearing the North apart and the call for a Sovereign National Conference, General Babangida said: "I have made my position known in various mediums."
But to Chief Ernest Shonekan, the most important thing is to have as the President of Nigeria in 2007, a person that is God fearing.
He told The Guardian that, "it really does not matter where the President comes from. The important thing is for the individual to see the whole of the country as his constituency."
Alhaji Bashir Tofa, former presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) threw his weight behind the convocation of Sovereign National Conference, as a way of solving the nation's problems.
He said: "Let Sovereign National Conference or whatever name anyone chooses to call it, hold. I am 100 per cent in support of it. I am absolutely in support of it."
On whether the conference will help in solving the settler/indigene problem in the North, Tofa, who said that people would soon hear from him again, said:
"Even if it does not solve it completely, at least we may have discussed. And we really need to discuss."
On the chances of a retired military officer handing over power to one, Tofa said democracy was for everybody.
"The choice is up to Nigerians. They should decide what is good for them. As for me, every qualified Nigerian is free to contest election."
He said there should be no controversy over power shift or rotational presidency between the North and South, stressing, that "since democracy is for everybody, it should not be the issue of this time, it is for the North or the South."
However, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur insisted that it was the turn of the North to produce the next President.
His words: "If you will recollect, I campaigned seriously in 1999, for power shift. This is as a result of political expediency at that time. But now I make bold to say that it is the turn of the North."
On his preference for any of the contenders for 2007 Tukur said: "I am a businessman, I cannot disclose my personal preference to you. But I will tell you that I will support anyone that can guarantee peace and stability in the country."
He, however, stated that he was not aware of anyone that had declared his intention for presidency in 2007.
Frowning at the insinuation that the country is still under the jackboot of the military boys, Tukur said: "The military is like any other profession; it is like doctors, journalists and so on. The Constitution of Nigeria makes it clear that all Nigerians are free to contest for elective posts regardless of their profession."
On Sovereign National Conference Tukur said: "Here, we are talking of regional integration, the need to strengthen the African Union so as to reposition it in a globalising world. The focus should be on full integration and progress.
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