By Musa Simon Reef, Henry Omunu & Mohammed Isa

Former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi BabangidaThe confidence of President Goodluck Jonathan on his planned bid for the 2011 presidential poll appears shaken by the formal declaration of former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to run for the presidency, come 2011.
This indication became clear with the schemes and intrigues by Aso Rock Apparatchik, which started early in the week, up to yesterday when the ex-military leader threw his hat into the presidential ring.
The massive crowd that thronged the venue of Babangida’s declaration, had apparently sent panic down the spines of the pro-Jonathan men, who quickly responded by advising the President to join the presidential race on Facebook. The president’s action was, perhaps, designed to pull the rug from IBB’s feet, by whittling the impact that his declaration would make, especially in terms of media headlines.
The panicky response by Aso Rock was not the first step taken to stave off the threat from IBB and other presidential aspirants. The scheduling of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the date Babangida was supposed to declare was the earliest indication of the nervousness in Jonathan’s camp.
Road to Eagle SquarePresident Goodluck Jonathan
All roads to the venue of the IBB declaration were almost closed yesterday, as thousands of supporters and hundreds of vehicles used to convey people from across the nation led to heavy traffic around the phases 1 and 2 of the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.
As early as 9 am, security operatives and road traffic officers had taken positions in and around the venue to ensure a hitch-free occasion. The arrival of Governor Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi of Zamfara and the Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger at 10:45 and 10:55 respectively heralded the arrival of Babangida, fondly called IBB.
Arriving at 11:02 in a Honda motorcade and accompanied by the Director-General of the IBB Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr Raymond Dokpesi, and former Senate President Ken Nnamani, the former military leader exuded the confidence that has become his trade mark.
As the motorcade moved through the various sections of Eagle Square, cheers and shouts of “Nigeria sai IBB” rented the air. While all the seats at the venue were occupied, the open space was filled with a sea of human heads. Security personnel had hectic time controlling the crowd that defied the scorching sun to witness the occasion.
Towards building a productive and caring society - IBB
Addressing the mammoth crowd, IBB said he was determined “to engage the necessary changes that will inspire and deliver economic prosperity to Nigerians.”
He said his resolve to contest the presidency was hinged on his public service experience, past involvement and record of accomplishment in national life for the development of the country, stressing that “knowledge and experience count.”
According to him, “the economy must be productive and we must stop the current disconnect between Nigerians and their government, and for that the presidency of Nigeria in 2011 is critical for our long term survival as a people and as a nation.”
He went on: “I have developed a definite conviction that these challenges, though complex, varied and often daunting, are not beyond effective resolution by the collective and concerted efforts of Nigerians and their leadership.
“All we require is the infusion of conviction and the strength of our people to make the required efforts and grapple with difficult decisions that lie ahead.”
He identified “abysmal lack of governance,” as the greatest challenge facing the nation, noting, “The state has virtually become overwhelmed by multi-dimensional crises constraining its ability to minister to the needs of the citizenry.”
He listed the key challenges confronting the nation as cultural and religious sensibilities, national integration, democratic growth and consolidation, declining economy, high rate of unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness, high rate of crime and other challenges occasioned by underdevelopment.
IBB, who promised to spend only one term of four years, if elected, said he would create the foundation for economic growth by ensuring that the economy grows at such a rate as to absorb the productive labour being generated in the country.
He recalled the numerous programmes he initiated when he was in office between 1985 and 1993, saying he created the basis for the sustainable growth and development of the economy.
PDP must offer level playing field - Ken Nnamani
In his speech, former Senate President and chairman of the occasion, Senator Ken Nnamani, insisted that the PDP must offer a level playing field to every aspirant who declares on its platform, saying such would help Nigerians to choose a leader of their choice.
“Let political offices be decided by a fair primary and the open ballot, to determine the popular will of the people,” he added.
The former Senate President said the forthcoming elections would be the defining moment for the nation as it would determine whether Nigeria would make it through to the next decade in full stride or continue to stumble as it is doing.
He pointed out that the PDP agreed on zoning because it believed that it would give every part of the country the opportunity to, one day, produce the President, adding that, “it is boldly written in Section 7(2) C of our Party Constitution. The principle of power rotation is the true essence of ‘the federal character’ which is captured in the 1999 Constitution section 153.”
He reminded the North that people of like minds were, therefore, looking up to the region to rally together “and hopefully give PDP a common candidate” for the 2011 presidential election.
Zoning is PDP’s internal affair - Gov Aliyu
Guest Speaker at the event and Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, reiterated that the PDP zoning arrangement was the internal affair of the party, saying the issue “should not be outplayed for the benefit of other Parties, with its attendant consequences.”
According to him, “zoning is in our Party's constitution and must not be jettisoned, while we must give every interested member the chance to contest for any position, once he/she is deemed qualified by the party.”
We need experienced men to tackle the challenges of development - Na’Abba
Former Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba said IBB possesses the experience needed to move the country forward. He urged Nigerians to ensure the victory of the retired general whom he described as having made history and is poised to repeat it in 2011.
Prominent Nigerians at IBB’s declaration
Some of the prominent Nigerians who were at the event included Governors Murtala Nyako, Aliyu and Mahmud Shinkafi of Adamawa, Niger and Zamfara states respectively, and former governors Abdullahi Adamu and Peter Odili of Nasarawa and Rivers states. Senator Jibrin Aminu and the three senators from Niger state, Nuhu Aliyu, Zainab Kure and Dahiru Awaisu Kuta were not left out. Also, there were Major-General Muhammadu Magoro (rtd) and General Salihu Ibrahim (rtd).
The roll-call also included former military Administrator of Sokoto state, General Garba Duba (rtd), former military governor of Kano state, AVM Hamza Abdullahi (rtd), former Borno state governor, Col Abdulmumin Aminu (rtd), former Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele and son of the late General Sani Abacha, Mohammed Abacha.
Jonathan declares on Facebook
Meanwhile, in apparent attempt to counter and contain the impact of the IBB declaration, President Jonathan hastily declared his intention to contest for the nation’s topmost position on Facebook, an online social interaction network. The President said he was making his intention public after consulting widely with family members, political associates and friends in the six geo-political zones of the country.
He disclosed that he had earlier declined to make a formal declaration because, following the death of late President Umaru Yar’adua, his immediate focus on becoming President was to provide purposeful leadership




http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14859:jonathan-panics-as-ibb-declares&catid=109:cover&Itemid=181

Panic ? Why will they panic? rubbish.

In his speech, former Senate President and chairman of the occasion, Senator Ken Nnamani, insisted that the PDP must offer a level playing field to every aspirant who declares on its platform, saying such would help Nigerians to choose a leader of their choice.
“Let political offices be decided by a fair primary and the open ballot, to determine the popular will of the people,” he added.
The former Senate President said the forthcoming elections would be the defining moment for the nation as it would determine whether Nigeria would make it through to the next decade in full stride or continue to stumble as it is doing.
He pointed out that the PDP agreed on zoning because it believed that it would give every part of the country the opportunity to, one day, produce the President, adding that, “it is boldly written in Section 7(2) C of our Party Constitution. The principle of power rotation is the true essence of ‘the federal character’ which is captured in the 1999 Constitution section 153.”
He reminded the North that people of like minds were, therefore, looking up to the region to rally together “and hopefully give PDP a common candidate” for the 2011 presidential election.
Zoning is PDP’s internal affair - Gov Aliyu
Guest Speaker at the event and Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, reiterated that the PDP zoning arrangement was the internal affair of the party, saying the issue “should not be outplayed for the benefit of other Parties, with its attendant consequences.”
According to him, “zoning is in our Party's constitution and must not be jettisoned, while we must give every interested member the chance to contest for any position, once he/she is deemed qualified by the party.”
We need experienced men to tackle the challenges of development - Na’Abba
Former Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba said IBB possesses the experience needed to move the country forward. He urged Nigerians to ensure the victory of the retired general whom he described as having made history and is poised to repeat it in 2011.
Prominent Nigerians at IBB’s declaration
Some of the prominent Nigerians who were at the event included Governors Murtala Nyako, Aliyu and Mahmud Shinkafi of Adamawa, Niger and Zamfara states respectively, and former governors Abdullahi Adamu and Peter Odili of Nasarawa and Rivers states. Senator Jibrin Aminu and the three senators from Niger state, Nuhu Aliyu, Zainab Kure and Dahiru Awaisu Kuta were not left out. Also, there were Major-General Muhammadu Magoro (rtd) and General Salihu Ibrahim (rtd).

The roll-call also included former military Administrator of Sokoto state, General Garba Duba (rtd), former military governor of Kano state, AVM Hamza Abdullahi (rtd), former Borno state governor, Col Abdulmumin Aminu (rtd), former Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele and son of the late General Sani Abacha, Mohammed Abacha.
Jonathan declares on Facebook
Meanwhile, in apparent attempt to counter and contain the impact of the IBB declaration, President Jonathan hastily declared his intention to contest for the nation’s topmost position on Facebook, an online social interaction network. The President said he was making his intention public after consulting widely with family members, political associates and friends in the six geo-political zones of the country.
He disclosed that he had earlier declined to make a formal declaration because, following the death of late President Umaru Yar’adua, his immediate focus on becoming President was to provide purposeful leadership

We are so scared of these political heavy-weights

Load of rubbish

Another sponsored write-up. Shows it wasn't an objective report from the choice of words

Why should GEJ panic?

That IBB delcared or Atiku will declare or Gusau is about to declare.

Am not going to vote at PDP primaries, just like most of the people here. So let us wait and see what happens there. But before then, we will keep on voting for IBB, one man one stone. Keeping on voting, grab your stone.