Is Nigeria Babangida's Property?

It is surprising that Ibrahim Babangida who once had an opportunity to return the country to democratic civil rule, but used different games - deceit, manipulations, maneuvering (name it) to prolong his reins on power on the nation until he was disgraced out at the least expected moment after eight years, could now be apportioning blames to the same constituency he exploited to the maximum to perpetuate himself in office. Could it be that such people are short in memory or only trying to play on the collective integrity of the entire Nigeria citizenry, the electorate? Is it not ridiculous that such an extravagant military dictator, political schemer ('Maradona') and self-named "evil genius" could now be expressing assurance on his confidence in President Olusegun Obasanjo to leave office on May 29, next year? Well, this could be one of such strategies to garner public relevance, as a launch pad for declaring his 2007 presidential ambition.

As we go down the memory lane, one question that every Nigerian should ruminate upon to ask IBB is: "Whose property is Nigeria?" It was on record that at the peak of the pro-democracy agitations for the reversal of the decision on "June 12 annulment" coupled with the clamour for the revalidation of the presidential mandate acclaimed to have been won by Bashorun MKO Abiola in 1993 and the associated intense pressures from all wings, IBB became helpless and hurriedly handed over to Chief Ernest A. Shonekan-led Interim Government. Babangida's exit, if we recollect was marked by his memorable valedictory slogan of "stepping aside". We should not forget that the instrument of governance in Nigeria at that period suffered a lot of setbacks and shrouded in aberrations, all of which were introduced by Ibrahim Babangida.

Undoubtedly, even after his exit, Gen. Babangida (rtd.) had been remotely controlling the affairs of succession in Nigeria through most of the elite that he empowered while in Aso Rock; except for during Sani Abacha's saga when IBB was declared as the potent risk to nation's stability. Babangida was as gentle as any poor man then. After the disgraceful death of Abacha, Babangida became relevant as he played prominent roles in the ascension of General Abdusalami Abubakar (now retired) and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to the nation's No. one position in succession in 1998 and 1999 respectively.

Gen. Babangida was quoted as reaffirming his resolve to contest the 2007 presidential election under the "banner of the Nigerian people." Which people? Is it the same people of Nigeria that he misruled, without fairness, with no iota of truth and with avalanche of deceitful tactics? One thing remains clear - Nigeria is not a nation of Lilliputians, neither is it a country for dullards or fraudsters. There are decent citizens, committed patriots and respected intellectuals that can continue with the ongoing reforms and re-orientation that are being witnessed in the country without the participation of the likes of IBB. We need to think back to IBB's declaration of "stepping aside" in 1993 and take appropriate measure to call his bluff that Nigeria is no single man's property.

The widespread speculation in Nigeria that Gen. Babangida gave financial support to Obasanjo's 1999 election campaign, in return for a promise that he would become the president's chosen successor is nothing to reckon with. That cannot be anything than black-market bidding and should remain as so. Afterall, IBB ought to have realized by now that the bunch of keys to Aso Rock that was reportedly carted away to Minna while exiting that office is now useless to access the complex. Posterity stares us all in the face that it was during his regime that established government ministries were rendered redundant through floating of some ad-hoc agencies like DFRRI, MAMSER, all of which were used as conduits for treasury looting.

There was no controversy in the assertion also that his eight-year rule witnessed the institutionalization of corruption in Nigeria. The malaise of that era contributed greatly to the dwindling economy that we are still struggling to revamp today. Thus, IBB's antecedents in the apex office of governance were nothing to write home about, hence the Minna-born, former military junta with Machiavellian style needs be told that the vacancy in Aso Rock come 2007 is not going to the highest bidder.

Attempts to toy with political history of Nigeria now being exhibited by the likes of IBB should not be tolerated. It is high time we relegated these opportunists, jokers and cabals to the background in the scheme of things in the present day Nigeria.

Neither OBJ nor IBB can play God on the nation. It is by mere providence and not through OBJ's personal scheming that he rose from grace to grass and back to grace. For a former head of state to be imprisoned in the same country and freed only to assume the reins of power as civilian president after 20 years of previous occupation of such office, is beyond human imagination and defies any known political calculation. I am not sure that IBB will agree to be accused of any charges by the Nigerian State (say for his deviant attitude towards the Oputa Panel) that may warrant his imprisonment, so that after his release he can become Nigeria's civilian president - his greatest life ambition! Else, he should be contented with the fact that he was too clever and stooped to conquer when he adopted the title of 'President' as a military ruler in the same land.

Nigeria is a sovereign entity, a prominent African nation and a leading light amongst other developing countries of the world. It is a geographical boundary that God ordained to exist with abundant human and material resources, endowed with perfect climate. We need to be clear in our minds that Nigeria is nobody's property. Not all of those personalities that have ever had the opportunity to rule at the highest level as either the head of state or democratically elected president can qualify for being addressed as an elder statesman talk less of including Nigeria in the list of his assets. Therefore, all those parading themselves as juggernauts, power brokers, kingmakers or whatever name they go by, including IBB, should note that Nigeria is not a bag and baggage nor luggage of any Nigerian.

To progressive minds and principled souls, there is a solace to take in the consolation that "the natural law of retributive justice cannot be a respecter of any human being". Therefore, if this must hold true, all those who have abused their public positions to exploit the citizens will certainly pay the price for what they have bought in the past while in the saddle of power. They will surely reap from what they have sown, regardless of the platform they may choose to re-launch themselves into Presidency in 2007, Insha Allah. Whether OBJ is happy or not with his aborted plan for third term, God is on the throne and will intervene in Nigeria's political history at the fullness of time that transition from civilian to civilian is feasible, workable but to be midwifed by personalities with clean hands.

Finally, our dear former military president should reflect on the wise saying: "you can fool a group of people at a given time, fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot succeed in fooling all the people all the time". It is sure that Nigeria will outlive all the present actors in her political terrain and with the future still holding the best place of pride for her in democratic governance in the comity of African nations.