Former Nigerian military President, Ibrahim Babangida, IBB,
has explained why the military will not interfere in the Nigerian politics
again.
The former military leader stated that military interference
robbed Nigeria off true federalism. IBB added that the era of military dabbling
into politics has come to an end because Nigerians have become more interested
in becoming a truly democratic nation.
Babangida spoke in an interview with Channels Television on
Friday.
IBB said: “I think that is (failure to achieve true
federalism) is one of the effects of the aberration of the military regimes. It
countered the democratic process.
“Such things happen. But I believe it will not happen again.
This is because Nigerians are more interested in becoming a truly democratic
nation in Africa and, such thing, I don’t think it will happen,” Babangida
added.
‘I grew Nigeria’s economy’
He, however, said that as a military leader, he freed the
economy. He said he did it by allowing the private sector to be the hub of
economy of the country.
Also, Babangida said the time had come to give more powers
to the states.
He said, “I believe in restructuring, devolution of powers
to the states to give them more powers. And that means you are going to give
them more resources to run their own affairs so that we run a federal
government the way federation is run all over the world.”
Furthermore, IBB suggested how the government can end the
trend of mass emmigration of Nigerians to other countries.
He said creating an enabling environment that can motivate
the citizens to enjoy working for their country the way they enjoy working for
other countries would work.
He noted that this will see Nigerians choose to remain in
their country rather than going to look for greener pastures elsewhere.
“I think the environment should be created in such a way
that people will be motivated to work for the country. So, I share the view
very much that we made names in a lot countries, US, UK. Nigerians are doing
very well in all professions.
“Why not do the same here in our own country? So we have to
create an environment that is suitable for this sort of service that Nigerians
have to give to their own country. I think it is possible,” Babangida noted.
Independent candidacy
Babangida also dismissed fears that Nigeria may be heading
to a one party state. He said Nigerians will not allow that to happen.
“I have been in a military regime. And the Nigerians I know
won’t allow a one-party state. I have been a military man and I know
dictatorship can’t survive in a civil society.
“The Nigerians I know will not allow it. They will talk you
out of it. You can say okay, I don’t want and forget about it,” the ex-military
leader said.
He advocated a two-party state to save Nigeria a lot of
funds and problems associated with a multi-party state.
Babangida equally suggested that independent candidates
could also be allowed to contest for political offices.
“One can contest as an independent candidate if the person
is strong enough to get supporters,” he said.
Recall that Nigeria witnessed a lot of military incursions
in its politics after independence, with men in uniform ruling the country more
years than civilians until 1999.
Babangida was one of the military men that led the country
during that period. He ruled for eight years – 1985 to 1993.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com