Nigeria's Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) is seriously ill, ThisDay reports.

According to someone close to his hilltop mansion in Minna, Babangida is suffering from an illness which has greatly emaciated him. He now looks pale and is unable to walk unaided. He uses a walking stick or is helped by his security personnel, the person said. It's believed that the illness has made him unable to attend most public functions.

Reports added that Babangida (aka Maradona) now travels to Abuja frequently where he receives medical attention and has cut down on the number of visitors he receives at his home.

The real cause of his sickness wasn't mentioned but the person claimed that aside it being age-related; the former military president might be suffering from a relapse of the radiculopathy disease which has troubled him since he was head of state.

Babangida was Nigeria’s military president for eight years. He was forced to stepped down after he annulled the 1992 presidential election believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.


ThisDay