By Uche Nwosu
Correspondent, Umuahia

The meeting lasted for about 40 minutes before the trio proceeded to Igbere, Kalu’s home town for a cultural festival.

Buhari explained that he has consistently said his relationship with Babangida is “absolutely normalised” and stressed that both of them rode in the same car to Sokoto three years ago to see the sultan.

“However”, he noted, “I don’t know why people don’t want to believe me. I’m saying that the only difference between me and himself is that he is in the PDP while I’m in ANPP. And unfortunately that difference persists, despite all the fragmentations of the PDP and I’ll like him to tell us which side he’s in now”.

The reason for the parley was not disclosed but sources said it could be part of the plan by activists to scuttle the third term agenda allegedly laid out by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Buhari, Babangida and Kalu are vying for Aso Rock in 2007.

Buhari was an All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate in 2003 and Kalu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) two-term Governor, has declared his interest in the big job and Babangida is believed to be in the running.

After the meeting, Kalu held their hands as they all walked into the Presidential lounge of Government House, Umuahia.

It was there he announced that both men were in the state to settle their differences and that they have resolved to work together for the interest of the country.

He added: “People in their stories will always say these two leaders are quarrelling. Their supporters think they’re quarrelling. We want to re-affirm this afternoon that they’re not quarrelling.

“A few weeks ago they were in Kaduna, in the Northern Senators’ Forum, and we want to tell Nigerians, and indeed the people of goodwill who wish this country well, that in the weeks, months and years ahead that rapport between them will be more cordial”.

Nigeria, Kalu insisted, is at a cross roads and their experiences, togetherness and ideas are needed to keep the country together and moving.

Babangida thanked him for bringing them together, noting that Buhari and himself have been together for 40 years.

“We’ve also been together as battle and front line soldiers and we know what we took for the sake of this country”, he recalled.

“Both of us were frontline soldiers, both of us were almost killed during the civil war. So, the two of us will do everything possible to make sure that the unity of this country is maintained.

“I also want to re-assure you that our relationship had been in existence even when you were still in secondary school (referring to Kalu) but I thank you for this opportunity given to us”.

Buhari stressed the need to rescue the country from “the dangerous drift out of nationhood” and recalled that during the war, both Nigeria and the seceding Biafra lost men and materials which cannot be quantified.

“We couldn’t regain our friends and relatives but we regained our respectability as one nation. Along the line we must thank Yakubu Gowon. Whether he is dead or alive, he’s a good leader.

“We’re extremely serious about the oneness of this country and God willing, we’re going to achieve it. I’d like you to settle down and reflect very seriously. We’re determined to keep the country together because we have enough resources in the land. We’re only hoping that God will bless us with a sincere leadership which will harness the resources properly”.