Former President, Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday paid separate private visits to Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, Niger State.
Jonathan met with the two leaders separately in their private residents in the afternoon.
Fielding questions from Journalists after the meeting with the two former military heads of state, Jonathan described the visit as a “regular one”.
“The visit is just the normal regular one especially being the youngest of all the former leaders.
“It is also an opportunity for me to visit General Abdusalami Abubakar who has just come back from a treatment abroad and also took time to visit General Babangida,” he said.
Specifically, Jonathan said the visit to Abdulsalami was a yearly ritual and “there is nothing special.”
He stressed that Nigeria still needs Abdulsalami and the part he plays in maintaining peace and unity in the country.
“It has been over a year since I visited the state. As the youngest former president, I go around from time to time to visit them.
“I haven’t seen him for quite some time and you know he just came back from medical treatment abroad.
“So, it is proper for me to come with some of my friends to pay a courtesy call and greet him.
He said Abubakar chairs the National Peace Committee and there would be pressure on him (Abubakar) as another election season nears.
On the 2023 elections, the former president urged Nigerians to ensure credible leaders come on board.
By doing so, he said proper management of the country’s resources would be a reality.
He charged Nigerians to think wisely and elect someone who would be ready to serve them well.
“We all wish our country well. To every Nigerian, especially the young ones, elections are coming.
“They have to elect the person they believe would lead us well, the person who will serve us well.
“A leader is also a servant and as a president, you are to lead and you are to serve.
“Elect somebody that will take the interest of all of us, the interest of the country, somebody that would not compromise our own interest for his own aggrandizement; someone that would carry all of us along, most especially someone that would take Nigeria as a project,” he said
