Former military President General
Ibrahim Babangida yesterday rubbished the fears that Nigeria might cease to
exist by 2015.
He dismissed such fears as a wishful
thinking that will never come to pass.
Speaking in his Minna country home
with reporters ahead of his 72nd birthday today, the former Nigerian leader
said that such a prediction “will make Nigeria to emerge stronger and more
united come 2015.”
He said the current security
challenge in the country is not even sufficient to cause Nigeria’s
disintegration, saying, “We are only crying wolf when there is no cause for it.
“Folks, forget about disintegration
in 2015. I can’t see it happening. A country that will disintegrate, you will
know it. It is not something that happens in one or two months. The
disintegration of Nigeria is just out of question,” he said.
He was of the opinion that the
motive behind the prediction was to instil fears in Nigerians.
His words: ”People say all sorts of
things to instil fear in others. If the majority of the people believe in the
unity of the country, then why do they worry about someone saying it will
disintegrate? I know it wouldn’t. People are just crying wolf.
“Nigeria is one of the amazing
countries we have in the world. If you live outside Nigeria and you hear and
listen about the happenings in the country, you will think the world is coming
to an end, only for you to come to the country and see the people, they are
happy, laughing, attending football matches and doing other things. That is
Nigeria for you.”
He asked the media to “stop giving
prominence “ to such misgivings.
“The fact is that the struggles and
challenges currently facing the country will end up making her a great nation,”
he added.
Babangida also ruled out violence in
the 2015 election because, as he put it, “2015 election will come and go.
“There are people assigned the
responsibility for the election. The politicians, the followers who will vote,
aspirants seeking people’s mandate, they are all in place. It is not a rat
race.”
He however advised that electorate
to elect leaders with good credentials who believe in the Project Nigeria and
have her interest at heart during the next general elections.
“What we need are leaders who have
good understanding of what we want to achieve and look for people who share the
same view and work with them,” he said, naming former President Olusegun
Obasanjo as one of the leaders who have the interest of the nation at heart.
“My boss, General Obasanjo, there is
one thing that we cannot take away from him; he believes in the unity of the
country. You can’t take it away, and this is what we all believe in.
“So, anyone who believes in the
unity of this country at any level, I think should be the leaders to vote for.”
President Goodluck Jonathan, in a
goodwill message to Gen. Babangida, wished him a happy birthday.
He praised the former military ruler
for a life of outstanding accomplishments.
A similar message came from the
Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) which said his untiring efforts at
preserving the unity of the nation remained unrivalled.
Babangida’s life, according to the
governors, “symbolises statesmanship, patriotism, vision and courage.”
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger
State, who spoke for his colleagues, said the former military leader excelled
in his chosen profession and went on to preside over Africa’s most influential
country during which period he showed rare vision, courage and exemplary
leadership.
The forum then prayed God to grant
IBB excellent health, courage and many more years of selfless service to
Nigeria and humanity.
Senate President David Mark, in a
separate message, described Babangida as a “quintessential statesman” whose
leadership quality remains a reference point in the contemporary history of
Nigeria.
“Babangida remains a true statesman
and a nationalist who believes in one indivisible, united, peaceful and
progressive Nigeria,” he said.
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Politics
Long live ibb,long live nigeria. Happy birthday sir.
ReplyDeleteYes he will always believe in d unity of Nigeria so dat they can c people to fool n rule n also to loot our treasures,IBB d most evil genius dat eva live in Nigeria;Dele Giwa,MKO Abiola,Sanni Abacha among others are evidence of his talent n deeds.Happy birthday to u sir may God in His avengeance preserve ur life to c d divisions of Nigeria b4 u are destroyed 4 ur evil works.AMEN
ReplyDeleteU talk sense oohh,I dey with u.can he un make june12th no,d evil that man does lives with him,he is reaping it big time,d truth will unravel.HBD to Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida,ur days of terror u reighned supreme had com n gone.u "ll will leave to c nigeria become wht u aint thought of
Deletesomebody said they are jealous of Ibb, CKN u shudnt allow kids to this site
ReplyDeleteDis man is the genesis of watever problems naija's facing he n obj,2 western doofuses wat embrassment they r.
ReplyDeleteMr Anonymous or what eva u called urself I guess u are either an evil genius daughter or son IBB has given birth to many corrupt children in dis country as u can c d high rate of corruption in d country n dat is y they want Nigeria to unite so dat they can keep exploiting us.Nigeria shud split n d different major tribes wit common belif n interest go n start afresh n rightly 4 d beta of their different people.
ReplyDelete