The hope of Ibrahim Babangida, former Nigerian military ruler, or any other military general, to get the support of former president Olusegun Obasanjo for the 2011 presidential elections was dashed in far away United States of America last Thursday, April 29th in Washington DC.
The salvo was fired by Mr. Obasanjo himself at the ‘Dialogue on Nigeria' forum hosted by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation' where he declared that it is now time for the younger generation to take charge of the leadership of the country."The generation before mine fought for and got independence for Nigeria. My own generation fought for unity and stability to keep Nigeria one. It is now left for generation after ours to move the country forward.
All of us who fought for the stability and unity of the country must now give the next generation a chance to take over the leadership of Nigeria," Mr. Obasanjo stated.As part of his campaign to seek support for his presidential ambition, Mr. Babangida, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, had visited Mr. Obasanjo at his residence in Ogun State on April 1, to seek the latter's support.Other presidential candidates that Mr. Obasanjo's statement refers are Muhammad Buhari, former military head of state; and Aliyu Gusau, the current National Security Adviser.
Mr. Obasanjo also used the opportunity to condemn the statement credited to Mr. Babangida that Nigerian youth were not ready for political leadership."It is wrong for my generation to say the youth are not ready to take over the leadership of the country," said Mr. Obasanjo.
Not all Nigerians are corrupt
While speaking on corruption, Mr. Obasanjo, who is alleged to be a major beneficiary of the $180million Halliburton bribe stated that "people are saying that the Nigerian police is corrupt but it is the same police force that produced (former anti corruption czar) Nuhu Ribadu.
So it is a challenge for us to always find the right people among us and thrust them with the leadership of our country."The former President, who appointed Maurice Iwu, the man who conducted the 2007 general elections widely believed to be the worst in Nigerian history, also spoke on electoral reforms."What is most important for electoral reform is for politicians to reform themselves," he said. "But in Nigeria, even if Jesus comes to conduct election, it would still be condemned."
Other prominent speakers at the event included Mr. Ribadu and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, managing director of the World Bank, and former finance minister.Johnny Carson, the US assistant secretary of state for Africa stated at the event that "Nigeria is very important for the US and the world and that is why it is one of the three countries we have bi-national commissions. We are serious about partnering Nigeria and maintaining cordial relations."
Source: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5562828-146/dont_contest_for_president_obasanjo_tells.csp
