Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in an interview with Aisha Wakaso
expressed concerns about the state of the nation, saying his
administration, despite the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential
election, took the credit for the freest and fairest election in the
country. Excerpts:
How do you feel about June 12?
Well, it has come and gone. Whatever I feel about it, at least, Nigerians agreed on one thing, that we, the administration succeeded in holding one of the best and freest elections ever held in this country. That remains the historical part. The consequence is something else but at least, something that people thought could not be done, we proved that it was doable. So, I can say I feel proud. We may not have achieved the objective but at least, we conducted an election that was not rigged, an election that was not marred by violence, an election that is still being referred to in the country.
Do you have any regrets about June 12?
Whatever happens, I kept on saying it; I accept full responsibility of June 12. I just told you that it was one of the best elections ever held in this country though it became problematic. It had its pluses and minuses. It is not really a regret but it could be approved.
Do you share the beliefs that June 12 or Abiola should be accorded a National recognition?
Sometimes, I wonder when people talk about recognition. Before June 12 and before Abiola went into politics, Abiola had been a recognised Nigerian in Nigeria because of the activities he had done. He succeeded in touching the lives of a lot of people, a lot of community both within his environment and outside his environment. As far as recognition is concerned, what he stood for will stand him out amongst patriotic Nigerians.
What is your opinion on the state of the nation?
As I have been saying, Nigeria is a developing country and like any other developing country, it has its own problems- problems of development; problems of not being experienced and so on. I think what we are experiencing now. We are following the part of what other countries went through. I think our ability to make a lesson out of what is happening now and to make the best use of it for the future of this country. This is what we should be doing now.
How do you feel about June 12?
Well, it has come and gone. Whatever I feel about it, at least, Nigerians agreed on one thing, that we, the administration succeeded in holding one of the best and freest elections ever held in this country. That remains the historical part. The consequence is something else but at least, something that people thought could not be done, we proved that it was doable. So, I can say I feel proud. We may not have achieved the objective but at least, we conducted an election that was not rigged, an election that was not marred by violence, an election that is still being referred to in the country.
Do you have any regrets about June 12?
Whatever happens, I kept on saying it; I accept full responsibility of June 12. I just told you that it was one of the best elections ever held in this country though it became problematic. It had its pluses and minuses. It is not really a regret but it could be approved.
Do you share the beliefs that June 12 or Abiola should be accorded a National recognition?
Sometimes, I wonder when people talk about recognition. Before June 12 and before Abiola went into politics, Abiola had been a recognised Nigerian in Nigeria because of the activities he had done. He succeeded in touching the lives of a lot of people, a lot of community both within his environment and outside his environment. As far as recognition is concerned, what he stood for will stand him out amongst patriotic Nigerians.
What is your opinion on the state of the nation?
As I have been saying, Nigeria is a developing country and like any other developing country, it has its own problems- problems of development; problems of not being experienced and so on. I think what we are experiencing now. We are following the part of what other countries went through. I think our ability to make a lesson out of what is happening now and to make the best use of it for the future of this country. This is what we should be doing now.
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