Fear has gripped officials of Protocol Department, Government House, Minna and that of the family of the late General Mamman Vatsa over the heat generated by the inability of Governor Sani Bello to attend the 75th birthday ceremony of the former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).
While the likes of the former Military President, General Abdulsalami Abubarkar, who incidentally is an in-law to Governor Bello, IBB’s right hand man, General Halilu Akilu joined other well wishers in the low-keyed event, Governor Bello was absent.
However, the governor’s absence raised suspicion with different interpretations. While some analysts have argued that the Vatsas who many believe are in power today could be putting their political will at work to spite at IBB, others said that the governor was simply displaying arrogance.
“It could be a sign of dishonour and disrespect to IBB or that the mix-up may as well have been caused by avoidable lapses on the part of the governor’s protocol”, a Nigerlite had said.
Governor Bello is said to have issues of ‘respect’ for some notable Nigerlites trailing him. The controversy surrounding his absence at the IBB 75th birthday may be a confirmation of the series of allegations on his no-love-lost between him and some elders in the state, a source said.
But the governor’s aides are said to be panicking that if Bello eventually discovers that he was sabotaged by them.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Ndace, in his reactions, denied insinuations that frosty relationship existed between Babangida and the Bello-led administration, insisting that the “Governor has been visiting the IBB home even before his 75th birthday.”
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