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ABUJA - Half-way into her father’s speech during his public declaration of intention to seek his party’s nomination as presidential candidate in next year’s election, Aisha, senior daughter of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, slumped on the podium.

The wife of Zamfara State Governor Mahmoud Shinkafi stood behind her father on the podium before the incident.

Mrs Shinkafi had arrived at the venue in a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with a golden insignia on its number plate. She spotted a green flowing Ankara material with the picture of her father embedded in white circles. She had on a black silk head-tie.

She waved excitedly at the crowd, flashing acknowledging smiles as the audience greeted her arrival with a rousing applause.

But as her father read his speech entitled: "Together we shall build a great and prosperous Nigerian nation," she slumped. But for the vigilance and swift reaction of those behind her, including her sister, Halimat and security personnel, she would have fallen badly on the podium.Photo Aisha,Rally Rousers

Mrs Shinkafi was immediately surrounded by security personnel and aides to the former president who quickly provided her with a white plastic chair. They fanned her vigorously with pamphlets on which the programme of event was printed.

Aisha was subsequently given some water. Security men shielded her from public glare. Most people missed the incident as they were fixated on the former President who was reading his speech.

Only those at home who might have been watching the programme live on television would have had an inkling of the incident.

It was also not clear if her father was aware of the incident as he continued his speech without a break.

The campaign for the former military dictator has resumed with Oshiomole of Edo and Now Former Biafran Warlord Ojukwu extending their arms over his ambition for a second crack at the Top Job.

Ojukwu pledges support of Igbos for IBB

Monday, May 3, 2010

The Ikemba of Nnewi gave this pledge when a group of IBB campaigners under the aegis of Campaign Network for IBB 2011, South East Zone, paid him a courtesy visit at the weekend..

“Tell your principal that Igbos are for him. He has my support and by extension he has the support of the whole Igbo people both at home and in the Diaspora. He is my friend and I am stoutly behind him,” Ojukwu said.

He used the occasion to rechristen Babangida as Okechukwu. “He is now Ibrahim Badamasi Okechukwu Babangida. That is his new name. I wish him success.” Earlier, the leader of the group, Chief Tony Emeka Ani, said the group had come to solicit the support of Ojukwu for the presidential aspiration of IBB, adding that the group had just been inaugurated in the South East.

On the entourage of Ani was Mr. Yemi George, leader of the group in Europe, who came down from Germany to grace the occasion.