Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), is
reportedly seriously ill, a source close to his hilltop mansion in
Minna, the Niger State capital, informed THISDAY yesterday.
According
to the source, the former military president has been ill for a while,
resulting in his inability to attend most public functions.
THISDAY
could not ascertain the real cause of his illness, but the source apart
from saying that it was age-related, added that the former military
president might be suffering from a relapse of the radiculopathy disease
which has troubled the former Nigerian leader since he was head of
state.
According to the source, Babangida most times is unable to
walk unaided without a walking stick or the assistance of his security
personnel.
The illness of the former military president became
public last week when he attended the valedictory dinner for the former
Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar and was aided out of
the venue before the end of the event.
It was said that
Babangida now travels to Abuja frequently where he receives medical
attention and has cut down on receiving visitors at his home.
The source also said he has emaciated a lot and also looks pale.
Babangida
was Nigeria’s military president for eight years, but was forced to
stepped down after he annulled the 1992 presidential election believed
to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.