Poor performance: IBB replies Obasanjo, gives kudos to young leaders
L-R: General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, yesterday disagreed with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying some young Nigerians entrusted with leadership positions have done wonderfully well.
Obasanjo had at a public function in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently mentioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, former Speaker House of Representatives Salisu Buhari, former Bayelsa State Governor Deprieye Alamieyeseigha as young leaders who have failed Nigeria.
But speaking at an interactive session with journalists to mark his 72 years birthday yesterday in Minna, Niger State, Babangida said many young Nigerian leaders should rather be commended for living above board.
“Our expectation about the younger generation is very high but there are some other young men that have equally done well, they are not doing badly,” the former president remarked.
The former military president also dismissed fears that Nigeria may disintegrate owing to tension ahead of 2015 general elections, saying the nation would survive as one indivisible entity.
He said the present political upheavals being experienced in Nigeria are not enough for a country to disintegrate, saying “Forget about the country disintegrating in 2015, I cannot see it happening. Nations don’t just go into disintegration. Two, three years before that the signs would have been there, the signs would have been ominous. Certainly there are no such signs today and those talking about disintegration are people I think do not know Nigeria.
“My findings have not indicated any serious threat to the corporate existence of the country in 2015. I know it will not happen, although people say all sorts of things simply to cause fears and panic among Nigerians”, he added.
According to him, Nigeria is one of the most amazing countries in the world, when you are outside the country, you would be thinking that the country is about to collapse but only to realize that when you return home all that you have been reading about is not just so.
Babangida, who reiterated his earlier statement of never to seek elective office in the country, said instead he would continue to play a role of statesmanship by giving advice.
But speaking at an interactive session with journalists to mark his 72 years birthday yesterday in Minna, Niger State, Babangida said many young Nigerian leaders should rather be commended for living above board.
“Our expectation about the younger generation is very high but there are some other young men that have equally done well, they are not doing badly,” the former president remarked.
The former military president also dismissed fears that Nigeria may disintegrate owing to tension ahead of 2015 general elections, saying the nation would survive as one indivisible entity.
He said the present political upheavals being experienced in Nigeria are not enough for a country to disintegrate, saying “Forget about the country disintegrating in 2015, I cannot see it happening. Nations don’t just go into disintegration. Two, three years before that the signs would have been there, the signs would have been ominous. Certainly there are no such signs today and those talking about disintegration are people I think do not know Nigeria.
“My findings have not indicated any serious threat to the corporate existence of the country in 2015. I know it will not happen, although people say all sorts of things simply to cause fears and panic among Nigerians”, he added.
According to him, Nigeria is one of the most amazing countries in the world, when you are outside the country, you would be thinking that the country is about to collapse but only to realize that when you return home all that you have been reading about is not just so.
Babangida, who reiterated his earlier statement of never to seek elective office in the country, said instead he would continue to play a role of statesmanship by giving advice.
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