Former Head of State, retired General

In a recent statement, Babangida asked Nigerians to co-operate with the President until his tenure ends and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country.

"We need to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his term of office on May 29th, 2019 and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country," Babangida said.

In a press statement by Babangida's spokesman, by Kassim Afegbua, on Sunday, February 4, 2018, Babangida said it was time to sacrifice personal ambition for the national interest.

Babangida said: “In the fullness of our present realities, we need to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his term of office on May 29th, 2019 and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country. While offering this advice, I speak as a stakeholder, former president, concerned Nigerian and a patriot who desires to see new paradigms in our shared commitment to get this country running.

ALSO READ: Obasanjo attacks Buhari, asks him to step down in 2019

“While saying this also, I do not intend to deny President Buhari his inalienable right to vote and be voted for, but there comes a time in the life of a nation, when personal ambition should not override national interest. This is the time for us to reinvent the will and tap into the resourcefulness of the younger generation, stimulate their entrepreneurial initiatives and provoke a conduce environment to grow national economy both at the micro and macro levels.”

“The next election in 2019 therefore presents us a unique opportunity to reinvent the will and provoke fresh leadership that would immediately begin the process of healing the wounds in the land and ensuring that the wishes and aspirations of the people are realized in building and sustaining national cohesion and consensus,” he said.

Buhari has performed below expectation - Obasanjo

Babangida's statement is coming on the heels of aletter by ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo advising Buhari not to seek re-election.

Obasanjo attacked President Buhari's performance and asked him not to seek reelection in 2019 for the good of the country.

The former president made his feelings about Buhari's administration known in a 13-page statement released on Tuesday, January, 23, 2018.

In the statement titled, "The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement", Obasanjo pointed out major failings of the Buhari administration, particularly in the area of economic prosperity.

He said the president has performed below the expectations of Nigerians and asked him to take a backseat in 2019 and help the nation from the sidelines while someone else takes over.

Tunde Bakare, Rev Mbaka have criticised Buhari's performance

Ex-Military President Babangida won't be the first to criticise the performances of President Muhammadu Buhari or advised him not to re-contest in 2019.

Catholic priest, Rev Mbaka and Buhari's one time running mate, Tunde Bakare have at different times criticised Buhari's leadership.

Tunde Bakare on Sunday, January 28, 2018, said the person currently running the affairs of Nigeria is not the Buhari he knew. He went ahead to say Buhari's administration was not what Nigerians hoped for, hence, tagged it a disappointment.

Mbaka on his part said the president is in a horrible bondage and will be voted out by Nigerians come 2019.

Babangida denies statement

Hours after Babangida's statement was released by his media aide, Kassim Afegbua, a terse statement has emerged denying the statement as the position of the ex-military president's media aide.

The statement denied that Babangida asked Nigerians not to vote for President Buhari in 2019 saying the statement is not only untrue, it is in its entirety, but an inaccurate representation of his view of the state of Nigeria.

Babangida overthrew Buhari in 1985

In 1985, retired General Babangida was the Chief of Army Staff and a member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) under the administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the ex-military president would later overthrow Buhari's regime on August 27, 1985 in a military coup that relied on mid-level officers that Babangida had strategically positioned over the years.