IBB, Abubakar reconcile Kure, Aliyu

Dipo Laleye, Minna - 24.03.2008

FORMER goverrnor of Niger State, Alhaji Abdulkhadir Kure and his successor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, have been reconciled by two former heads of state. The duo had been at daggers drawn since June last year over allegations levelled agianst the Kure administration by his successor.

The feud developed into a situation that supporters of the two leaders were not seing eye to eye. According to Nigerian Tribune findings, while the Kure camp accused his successor of deliberately running down the former governor, the Aliyu camp distanced itself from such accusation, but instead, said the supporters of the former governor were behind the crisis. Dr. Aliyu had, at a public function, accused the elite of the state of showing lack of interest in settling the dispute whereas the former heads of state had been reconciling feuding politicians from other states of the federation.

However, Nigerian Tribune learnt that both Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar reached out to the two politicians on Thursday during which issues that precipitated the crisis were reviewed.

Both Alhaji Kure and Dr. Aliyu were reported o have bared their minds at the meeting which was held at the Maizube farm, a few kilometres from Minna. According to sources, only the four were allowed to enter the venue of the meeting while three other politicians including the Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity, Alhaji Jibrin Sulaiman and the former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Kure remained outside the venue.

The meeting resolved that the two leaders should, as senior citizens, return to their homes and find amicable way of settling the issue among their supporters.

The image makers of the former governor and his successor confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the meeting took place and that everything was now normal, adding that they were also advised to avoid issues that could r-eopen healed wounds or create suspicion among them and their followers.