Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim
Babangida (Rtd), on Friday said the Military provided Nigeria with the
democracy being enjoyed today.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s NewsNight, Babangida said
contrary to claims that the military was responsible for the problems in the
country; it rather provided the nation with development.
“No, we didn’t provide problems. We
tried to provide the framework upon which subsequent governments who are going
to come after us could build upon,” he said.
“Most of the infrastructural
developments, even the democracy, we midwifed it. We started development,
democracy, and a free-market economy.
“We were able to capture what the world
is doing now and to try to bring it into our own country. The politicians,
civilians are the best people in handling all of these things.”
Speaking further, he praised the masses for surviving what he described as the
civil war in the country.
The former Head of State said Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world
to survive a civil war.
Reacting to the Mali coup that ousted President Ibrahim Keita, he described the
soldiers that participated in the exercise as stupid.
He commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for issuing
an 18-month ultimatum for the country to return to democracy.
“Military intervention in some of these
things is an aberration. I don’t think we should encourage the military at all.
“From 1989 till now, things have
changed. The whole world has embraced democracy, economic reform, open market
and so forth. There is no place for the military. It is best done by the
politicians and the civilians,”he said.
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Babangida should consider himself lucky that our country is benevolent, else all coup plotters should have face treasonable offence charges, so he should either keep quiet or face the rath of Nigerians.