Written by Tinuola Ayanniyi Monday, 16 August 2010
FORMER President Ibrahim Babangida, on Saturday, stated that the position of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on zoning was ambiguous and had not cleared anything.
Babangida, speaking with journalists in Abuja, said the party's decision giving President Goodluck Jonathan the go ahead to contest the presidency and at the same time maintaining the zoning arrangement was ambiguous.
“Nigerians have commonsense; they know what to do at the appropriate time about the issue,” the former president stated.
Speaking on the nomination of candidates within the PDP, Babangida noted that politics was about choice and expressed a strong belief that final decision lay with the people. “I don’t believe in selection. PDP should let members pick their desired standard-bearer,” he stated.
On the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Babangida reiterated that the annulment was a collective decision, adding that Nigerians should not forget that the late Chief MKO Abiola was his intimate friend and he would not do anything to hurt a friend.
He noted that the South-West, where the late Chief Abiola came from had many sophisticated politicians, who he believed had forgiven him after apologising on the issue.
Explaining why he wants to run for president, Babangida stated that 17 years after he left government, most of the good things and policies he left had been reversed and he believed, he was needed to put the country back to the path of greatness.
He said that over the last 17 years he had gained more experience and that this would enable him to govern the nation better than he did before.
Tactically indicting the past administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Babangida revealed that what the government earned in eight years was more than what past administrations earned, put together, and as such, should have done better than it did.
Babangida, who sought media support for his desire to contest for the presidency in next year's election, said: ``Our country needs an experienced and tested leader.’’
He said that he wanted to become the president because he had ``a lot of new policies that will drive Nigeria's plural society under a new federal system that will cater for the needs of the various nationalities for equity and unity.’’
On the Okigbo report, Babangida said that it did not state that he was engaged in financial impropriety.
“Given my wealth of experience and decades of leadership study, plus the urgent need to confront the challenges of our national lives, I believe the time is ripe for me to serve our people as a civilian president with your kind support, cooperation and understanding,’’ he said.
Babangida said that he had informed former heads of state of his intention to vie for the highest political office in the country.
He also promised to send a formal letter to President Jonathan on his ambition.
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