FORMER military dictator General Ibrahim Babangida is reported to have finally endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming elections.

 Known as IBB, it was General Babangida who overthrew General Buhari in 1985 in a palace coup and since then, the two men have had an uncertain relationship. So far, IBB is believed to be sitting on the fence despite recent meetings with both General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan but it appears he has finally decided to back the APC candidate.

 General Babangida said: "Nigeria belongs to all of us and it is our collective responsibility to rise as electorates to make sure our votes count. I want to commend the APC for choosing our colleague as your flag bearer and we will all support you Buhari in this course to salvage Nigeria."

  "Most people I know supporting Jonathan are doing so either out of self-interest or fear of the APC because we all know he has failed. I did not endorse Goodluck Jonathan, he is my son but I am not happy with his administration."

 Although not independently verified, the reports indicate that General Babangida expressed his displeasure with the performance of the government over the last six years. Like former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, he appears to be unable with the performance of the government in areas like security, combating corruption and unemployment.

 "I will like to quote my boss Obasanjo, who said I will die for my country Nigeria but not for my party. May Allah grant me divine health as I am not a card carrying member of any political party but if I must vote, it is not going to be for Goodluck Jonathan.

 "I would have loved to defend the president but I feel like even if I say something I will sound stupid because we all know he has failed. We can't afford another four years of this administration, so we the elders won't watch this happen again as we need an active leader," General Babangida added.

 Among the issues he said he was unhappy with included the loss of 20 lives during the interviewing for custom's jobs and the indifference of the government to the kidnapping of the Chibok girls. According to General Babangida, Nigeria is not providing social services, yet is broke, making her a failed state.