In the United States, efforts by former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida to garner international support for his interest in the plum job in 2007 suffered severe hitches.

It was learnt that his campaign platform, The Nigerian Project (TNP), is having hard times in its lobby of key members of the U.S. Government to re-consider their position on his ambition.

Sources said America believes Nigeria “will be better off without the likely tension Babangida’s candidature would generate”.

Speaking in Abuja on his own reported ambition, Wabara clarified that he is not keen on becoming President, at least not yet, as he does not want to be distracted from his current job – and the South East caucus of the Senate has passed a vote of confidence in him to carry on.

The caucus issued a communiqué in Abuja after its parley in Ohambele, Abia State country home of Wabara, and urged him to continue his leadership style along the part of transparency and equity.

It was read by caucus Leader Fidelis Okoro who noted that “the statesmanship in which Wabara has directed the affairs of the Upper House has given every zone a sense of belonging”.

An elated Wabara said he is humbled by the loyalty of senators from the South East and promised not to disappoint them in the discharge of his duties.

But Babangida has not hidden his quest to return to the post from which he “stepped aside” in August 1993, even with the opposition to it in the U.S.

One source said in Washington: “Several pro democracy groups and prominent Nigerians have spoken against his candidature and the administration has no desire to back him against such overwhelming opposition, besides the fact that he is a polarising figure".

A State Department source disclosed that despite efforts made by members of the U.S chapter of TNP, former Secretary of State Colin Powell refused to grant them audience. In-coming Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has also reportedly turned down a request from the group.

The euphoria over TNP’s meeting with U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom Delay has been dampened by the refusal of other members of the Congress to see the group.

Lawmakers have turned down requests from it, citing heavy workload. But sources said the real reasons for the cold shoulder is the numerous mails sent by Nigerian groups about the "atrocities of the Babangida administration”.

They added: “Several legislators were sent a copy of the Oputa panel report and the fact that Babangida refused to testify about allegations of human rights abuses turned many of them off”.

Reminded that the group already met with the influential Delay, known as the “hammer”, sources stressed that the meeting is not significant and insisted that "Delay is currently under investigation by the Texas authorities and I do not think any serious candidate would want to be seen as seeking his blessing until the end of the investigations".

But TNP U.S. Leader Larry Egbuchulam put a positive spin on the activities and described them as historic. Other members of TNP include Paul Orhii and Teddy Obaseki.

Despite the hard knocks for Babangida in the U.S., a mass rally moulded after the one packaged by Daniel Kanu, leader of Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA) in 1997, is being planned for him in Abuja ahead of his formal declaration for the Presidential race.

A group known as Nigeria Fortunate Youths (NIFYO) announced in Akure on Tuesday that it is organising the rally to boost his campaign.

Its Co-ordinator Sola Ameto said Babangida's former administration had encouraged youths to participate in government and that the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) he established in 1993 empowered many youths through skill acquisition.

He stressed that Babangida also encouraged youth participation in politics through the famous Option A4 electoral system adopted by his government.

His words: "I want to say that we are astonished to discover that in the country today, 75 percent of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada riders, are unemployed university graduates.

"This group is out to convince Nigerians, especially the youths who are the highest voters, to support the campaign for the return of IBB to power come 2007 as the nation's civilian President and I know that they will never regret their decision”.