“I grew Nigeria’s economy ‘military interference robbed Nigeria off true federalism” - Babangida

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. The 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 emigration 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.