Thursday, 9 February 2012
Gen. Ibrahim Babangida Writes Nigerians!
Fellow Nigerians: This is not another successful coup d'etat speech reminiscent of my notorious exploits in the military as a professional coup-plotter. It is not about being part of those who truncated democracy as a way of 'moving the nation forward'. During my decades in the military service -- rising from ranks until I nearly awarded myself the Field-Marshall title in the twilight of my 8-year unbroken reign as the Commander-in-Chief --
I had had to deal with coup matters so much that professionalism was sacrificed for ambition to flourish and for survival to be guaranteed. I come before you today as a private citizen, a fellow citizen like you who have had the time to reflect on the past and come to the conclusion that only Allah remains the master of our destiny, the owner of life!
You would recall that way back in 2007 when Olusegun Obasanjo was contemplating a third-term presidential gambit I was one of those that worked underground to thwart that venture. As soon as that unconstitutional bid was killed in the Senate I made my intention known of contesting for the presidency believing myself eminently qualified to vie for the highest position. But Obasanjo prevailed on me to back down having settled for the late Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. I made it clear then that I was 'stepping aside' based on the mutual respect I had for the Yar'Adua dynasty. This time I am determined to carry this project through to its logical conclusion as situations have changed with Musa Yar'Adua joining his ancestors.
My 2011 presidential enterprise is therefore on and no one will persuade me to drop the idea of ruling this great nation again as a democratically-elected President -- one that is not associated with tanks and guns. I promise imaginative presidency, one that respects democratic tenets and norms as recognised internationally. The common challenge before us, fellow Nigerians, is to confront the issues of the day head-on with honesty and courage thereby providing quality leadership to our suffering peoples. Issues like epileptic power supply, national insecurity, infrastructural decay and official graft ought to provide the basis for a new beginning, one that is championed by a trusted and tested leader like me.
Fellow compatriots, a fellow retired General of the Nigerian Army, Olusegun Obasanjo, has betrayed me again after visiting him in Ota and obtaining his support for my presidential ambition. He has since opted for a Jonathan presidency next year much like Godwin Daboh whom my friend Prof. Wole Soyinka once described as a diabolical double agent who takes money from both the living and the dead! Obasanjo and Daboh are political contractors of different world-view. While OBJ is seeking to maintain his dominance as a glorified godfather (having drafted GEJ into the presidential picture in 2007 as the late Umaru Yar'Adua's running mate) Daboh is always ready to join the winning party, the government in power. OBJ has forgotten so soon how he was drafted into the presidential race in 1999 (fresh from prison and bankrupt) as we applied the zoning formula to smuggle him to power. He remains the greatest beneficiary of zoning thus he ought to be grateful by speaking the truth.
But I am not discouraged or disappointed by his foxy antics. OBJ is a man whose 'Maradonic' inclinations surpass even mine. I am used to betrayals from friends and foes alike. But it is morally unjust for anyone to argue at this point that zoning of the presidency in line with the PDP internal arrangement should be discarded just because an 'ordained' Saint Jonathan is in power or that the Nigerian constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to seek the presidency. The north must produce the President next year or the PDP will risk implosion and explosion.
In Nigeria politics revolves around the incumbency factor and this I know very well having tasted power at the highest level with no David Mark or Dimeji Bankole providing any oversight functions in the National Assembly. President Jonathan is a product of our time yet it is ludicrous to equate his ascendancy to the 'throne' to a divine making. His name may be Goodluck but he must not stretch his luck or that of the nation too far. He is bound to fail if he ever thinks that the presidency (because he is from Niger Delta) is his birthright; or if he listens to many groups and chronic pschophants like the Ijaw elder statesman Edwin Clark earnestly asking him to contest next year's election.
Honestly I have nothing against Jonathan as a President but I have a bone to pick with his disguised attempt to retain power next year through a manipulated poll using the PDP and its conquering machinery to his advantage. As a contender I frown at his resort to pure anti-zoning propaganda and cheap blackmail to achieve this objective. It is my belief that in a free and fair presidential contest I will beat Jonathan anytime anywhere! So that is why Babangida is the issue in Nigeria's politics and Jonathan knows it. By the grace of Allah I intend to run and not run away this time! Even if my dear wife Maryam is no longer here to provide crucial support I intend to surge ahead invoking her spirit to see me through. Jonathan can have a Patience as wife but my Maryam is still with me in spirit.
In Ibadan I have taken over the redoubtable political machinery of the late Lamidi Adedibu, a well-oiled political structure that will help me crack the Abiola/June 12 riddle in Yorubaland. Prominent monarchs like the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, has promised me their unflinching support. In the South-east of Igboland the youths are routing for me and the elders (including Ikemba Ojukwu) are on my side. In the north I enjoy a broad support among the population. In Benin City from the Comrade-Governor to the 'Okadaman' on the street the name IBB is a household name. My popularity in Nigeria is not in doubt but my major concern is about the PDP zoning arrangement which the likes of Okwesilieze Nwodo and Solomon Lar want us to discard in order to favour Jonathan.
Fellow compatriots I do know I have wronged some of you in the past through my deeds and actions as the Head of State. The June 12 crisis and the MKO Abiola saga represents the greatest 'sin' I committed against the Nigerian nation. For this I say sorry, yes I am sorry for annulling the June 12 election widely believed to have been free and fair and convincingly won by the late Abiola. I am feeling remorseful of course but the truth remains that that very decision was imposed on me by my fellow Generals led by the late Sani Abacha. If I had not annulled that election Abacha and his gang would have killed me! The late Sani was desperate to become the Head of State and he was ready to subdue any opposition to that ambition. My hold on the army was slipping away in 1993 and I had to save my head by heading towards the Minna Hill-top Mansion as an ING led by Shonekan was hurriedly assembled and put in place.
Concerning the late veteran investigative journalist Dele Giwa I must confess that his assassination remains a tragic incident I regret even today. But if I had not eliminated him the way I did with the help of Togun and Akilu via a well-packaged and delivered parcel bomb he would have revealed my narco dealings and that could have exposed me and my family to international ridicule and sanction. So I had to silence him in order to preserve my honour which Dele was hell-bent on rubishing. Gloria Okon was happy as the news went round that Giwa was gone and business went on. May his soul rest in peace! But killing of journalists or kidnapping them never stopped with the Giwa murder you will agree with me. Now it has become worse.
As I had said before I am the most investigated former Head of State in Nigerian history but at the end of the day after accusations and counter-accusations of high-wire corruption from certain quarters no one has come up with proof of my involvement. The issue of the 12 billion dollars Gulf War oil windfall and the Okigbo Panel that 'indicted' me would be addressed here forthwith if only to put the records straight. The fund was of course realised but the government of the day which I led used same judiciously on projects and other administrative needs. I need not enumerate here how we disbursed the money but I never embezzled it as the opposition and human rights groups are alleging. Though I recognise that there were certain lapses and undocumented frivolous expenditures the fund could be accounted for.
Some people are saying that under my regime corruption was institutionalised and settlement syndrome established to pacify the opposition but that is not true. Even though my administration was not immuned to corruption like those before our intervention in 1985 what we witnessed in OBJ's eight odd years in power and even now makes whatever we took in the course of providing leadership pale into insignificance. If a state Governor like James Ibori could be accused of stealing billions of naira then one wonders how much more Obasanjo could have pocketed in the failed independent power project or in the Transcorp scam. What I am saying in essence is that our country is bleeding out of massive graft and politicians of today have devised many strategies to siphon funds without the EFCC detecting. So in comparative analysis corruption has crippled the nation and it has gotten worse seventeen years after our disengagement.
My second coming will definitely usher in a new era of political democratic engineering that will have a rapid knock-on effects on three critical areas of our diminishing national life: power generation and distribution, infrastructural development and sharp improvement in internal security mechanisms. To overcome the prevailing darkness in our lives my first assignment in power will be to go after the powerful mafia at the centre of our electricity woes; crushing them becomes a priority if power must be restored to the poor who cannot afford to join the generator bandwagon. I dare assure you, dear compatriots, that heads will roll and evil profiteering alliances broken in the process of establishing order in the power sector. Remember fear is not part of my attributes, so be rest assured that we shall defeat the enemies within the NNPC and PHCN.
I do agree with critics and cynics that Nigeria is at cross-roads; this is not what we had hoped for as we beat our hasty retreat many years ago. Though I bear some responsibility in the prevailing generalised rot in the system our time was relatively different than now; there was MAMSER, DFFRI, FRSC, Option A4 and other sound programmes aimed at striking positively at the heart of the nation's developmental needs. My sympathy goes to the youths who due to lack of viable economic engagements have taken to armed robbey, kidnapping and other vices. I intend to engage them fully as I democratically take power at the centre. There will be massive employment drive and economic self-realisation schemes aimed primarily at keeping the youths occupied and away from crime. There will be sound condusive academic environment since education remains the vital key to national socio-economic re-birth.
Fellow Nigerians I pledge to serve you all this time if you vote me to power. During my eight-year stint in Dodan Barracks and Aso Rock Villa I never really appreciated fully what service to the people was all about. Yes I confess solemnly: what service to the people meant was alien to my understanding.You were serving me as the boss instead of the other way round. I have now learnt my lessons and promise quality service to the fatherland. As I will be officially launching my presidential campaign very soon in the South West I call for your prayers and support so that together we can move the Nigerian mountain and achieve the hitherto unachievable. The faith and hope are there, join me so that we can make things happen again -- quite unlike before!
I believe patriotically that the national ingredients for greatness are within our reach and the possibilities within the Nigerian enterprise despite the huge challenges are quite striking; so making Nigeria great by the combined efforts of our people in diverse fields of endeavour is a task that must be done!
May Allah (or God) bless you all. I shall be writing you again in the course of time. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (GCFR)
Evil Genius, Maradona, IBB
Minna, Nigeria.
SOC Okenwa
soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr
IBB, EXCERCISE A LITTLE RESPECT FOR YOUR FATHER LAND
Dear Gen IBB, I know that you are so powerful, especially in both political and military circle. I remember what it costs Nigerians to get you to step aside in those days.
Christians and muslims went from one praying ground to the other, church to church, endless sacrifice in shrines, people expressing frustration that NO ONE COULD OVER THROW YOU but they asked God to threaten you and without a coup, you stepped aside for Ernest Shonekan to step in. Now you can imagine how scared they would be to have you back, even if you intentions are genuine. If you use power to usurp authority against the wish of the people, it implies you are only being selfish, not that you love and respect your fatherland. I want to repeat, pay the final price of patriotism and loyalty to the unity of Nigeria. Help you fatherland to move forward before God steps into this matter again. As a Journalist, I have began to hear people express fear again that You are unstoppable and people had began trouping to praying grounds again just to ensure that you are not the next President. You cannot redeem your image, only God and time coupled with your silent contributions to the society will write your story in Gold on the stony heart of Nigerians. Be mindful of your foot prints on the sands of time.No American would say bull shit to America, dont say bullshit to Nigeria. God bless Nigeria.
PASSIONATE APPEAL TO IBB
Dear beloved General, having served Nigeria and retired, I know that you have paid a lot of price serving your father land. I beg you in the name of God, pay this last duty to unite Nigeria. I know that if General Sani Abacha were to be alive, you would have had a good colleague, who could talk to you on what it takes to hold Nigeria United. Even if Nigerians didnt appreciate Abacha, his Spirit shall continue to haunt us until we come out to tell the truth. Many of those who enjoyed Abacha and were built by Abacha turn round against him in death to call him names, except Professor Aluko and a few others. Nationalism and patriotism are two concentric elements that we must study to understand, else we would still get things wrong. NADECO fought for Democracy but cannot sustain it. They held Abacha to ransom and they are the same people who are either stealing public funds or conniving with those who steal. Is Ahmed Bola Tinubu my highly respected dad not part of NADECO? Is he not the one who uses undemocratic means to give party ticket to Governorship candidates in his party all because he wants his party to rule. Yes, Dele Belgore in Kwara is an example. If Saraki does same where is Tinubu better?
IBB, please go home and rest after these long years of service, the flies that follow the cup of palm wine too much ends up....accepted you stepped aside to come back now, it will be wrong to take your father land for a ride. You are a discipline soldier and respected combatant, maintain that value. Mariam is dead, people would have said she pushed you in again, show her some respect. Remember that your friend, M.K.O burnt his finger for entering into politics after the wife's death, don't end up in same manner. NIGERIA is a non negotiable entity, lets be patriotic. I have spent the last five months working for you, gathering opinions about your candidature. People called me names just because I want to be sure of my facts, but as you have confessed your misdeeds, ask for forgiveness, especially over the murder of my senior colleague, Dele Giwa. You wer brave to have come out to confess, OBJ didn't have that quality to come out and confess that he was jailed in 1995 because he actually partook in a coup against Abacha till date. Not all yorubas are liar, OBJ is a different breed.God give power, he had given you so much grace to become a kingmaker to the extent you made OBJ rule us when he was not wanted by even his tribesmen. Remain a king maker.Let us make this sacrifice to give the Presidency to pacify the East and South South and the minorities. As a Nigerian, you are qualified to aspire to any height but as a Nationalist, this sacrifice is essential from you, PLEASE QUIT. I LOVE YOU, NIGERIAN LOVE YOU. GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
GOD FORBID THAT SENTIMENTS DESTROYS NIGERIA
I have often asked people to pin point IBB's wrong that has not been as a result of gossip or black mail by NADECO or the so called human rights activists. Until a court of competent jurisdiction tries him and convict him, he , in my record is just like any past leader that we should condone. OBJ was worse, because he is Yoruba we all supported him, now its an Hausa man, we are raising eyebrows. Let us steer clear of sentiments and judge issues from a sound mind for a realistic result. Nigeria is greater than all these sentiments we are weilding about.
If Nigeria fall on the platter of sentiments it will be too bad.
Pray hard for Jonathan, he's been pushe d towards a dead end by some unscrupuolous Nigerians. Pray for long life for him, I dreamt of seeing him swiming in a crockodile infested pond and was bitten all over the body until he sank into the water. After the dream, I saw all the evil creatures that killed him die too and PEACE came back into the environmentfor a long time. Pray that GEJ is not made a sacrifice for Nigeria's Peace. I am confused about my dream.
Warn this Bukola Saraki too of Kicking against the thorn, he would get his feet injured and might bleed to death, I saw him in my dream too.
God bless Nigeria, my father land.
sir
Sir with all due respect,i dont beleive you are capabel of this type of write up,and i beleive i speak for all nigerians who truly love democracy,you have absolutley nothing to offer the average nigerian but business as usual and the pollitics of extreme corruption,nepotism etc.And based on your past records you are a pathological liar.you have no vision,what could you have learnt while cooped up in your 50 bedroom mansion in the past 10 to 15yrs,absolutley nothing especially when you surround yourself with psycophants who decive you and say what you want to hear.you are an embodiment of every evil that is wrong with nigeria,how dare you parade yourself as a supporter of democracy,when your name should not even be mentioned in the same breath as the word democracy.For time constraint i,ll stop this here you are EVIL and we dont want you.
IBB
I'M OF THE OPINION THAT THIS IS NOT IBB WRITE UP.
I LOVE IBB
I have taken my time to read this so called letter from IBB like I never taken my time to read any article on internet before and i wonder why adults should submit their self to be used as ordinary object of critics by people to achieve their selfish interest.
IBB that I know does not have time for poor critics like the ones we have today.
THE WRITER HAS GONE LOCO
okenwa, you are the real fraud,master of deception, you think Readers are fools to believe that such crap was posted by IBB...? He is a stateman of repute,such words and construction are for feeble minded and great losers like you.Sahara reporters, its high time you begin to showcase the truth and reality in your publication...in order to attract cheap attention and raise the curiosity of your readers, you have succumb to blakmail and cheap propaganda. Sahara or no sahara, half-witted imbeciles like okenwa cannot truncate IBB's aspiration.
SHAME on you ALL!
DANY TEMI
OGA, WHEN YOU WRITE ANYTHING THAT WILL BE CIRCULATED PUBLICLY, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SPELLING, GRAMMAR AND SENTENCES ARE CORRECT. YOU MEAN TO WRITE CURSE AND NOT COURSE. GO BACK TO JSS1.
shocked!!!
You ara an illitrate for thinking IBB wrote this letter himself... what a shame!!! you call him a fool but just imagine yourself! you even thought it was IBB himself boasting!!! PLS did you go to school? its an honest question..
IBB, U again, no bi naija
baba gii dii, no be U, I trust. But before I pleadge my support to your presidential ambition.
I will like you to address/call press conference with credible local and foreign press in attendance and repeat all the issues mentioned or raised in your article.
Babaginda, U don't have to hide under canopy (E-press)to address Nigerians. Please come out and be rest assure that I will support U if.....
IBB
IBB every time cant we have peace .The man thinks he is important but i most say if is the killer that wrote this letter then he most be tried for murder first send to to jail then we can forgive him but without him going to jail then he has not repented.IBB you were stoned in Kano,disgrased in Edo not welcomed Oyo where else do you think you are needed.My freind go to jail infact go and die Nigeria dont need you.
IBB-FULFIL YOUR PROMISE.
IBB,
This is a satiric writing at best by SOC Okenwa. In life as in politics, there are no permanent friends, nor enemies, but permanent interests. The commentators I believe should state their case without using foul language to insult the person of IBB. Afterall, he is an elder in our midst and in the state or nation of Nigeria, and we should learn to accord him the respect due to him-especially when we are writing anything in cyberspace as this, that is read all over the world-over a long period of time. We should remember that whoever wins the leadership contest for the presidency of our great nation, will be the leader for the over 150 million Nigerians of all political shades and/or opinions. We are just commoners watching as spectators form the sidelines of action. What I pray for every day of my life is for my country to remain united as one-and for God/Allah to give us all the hearts, heads and the strenght and resoluteness to solve our issues as it arises. May I use this opportunity to remind IBB that we are still waiting for volumes of the book titled "FOR THEIR TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY" which he promised us ten years ago! We are patient and trust that you will redeem your promise as a gentleman.
The fool(IBB) was even proud
The fool(IBB) was even proud to say he assassinated Giwa what a shame... He should bury his face within his thighs. the genesis of the failed state called Nigeria is his master piece... After so much of sharing our wealth as bribe of course he can boast of support from money loyalists. The family of Dele Giwa should really be proud of how you made the life of their dear son short.
IBB: Hope and Trust of a new dawn in Nigeria
Dear Comrades,
Sincerely speaking IBB has wrong so many minds in Nigeria from the remaining members of Dele Giwa (RIP) and annullment of June 12 election and series of financial scanders but when a servant repent to Allah and promised never to return to sins, Almight Father forgives and renew their evil actions but here i will like to advice IBB to remove from his names the word "MARADONA, EVIL Genius, Maradona, and better to be know as Preident Ibrahim so that the evils associated with IBB will change his modest personality.
Furthermore, i want to call on Former President Ibrahim to publicly apologies to Nigerians and carry out his political ambition and let there be free and fair election so that the general masses will jugde and not the politicians as Nigeria needs to be great again and again.Please campaign for President Ibrahim Badamasi Babbaginda.
Thanks.
IBB
NONSENSE UPON NONSENSE EQUALS TO NONSENSE.
time for a revolution
how long are we going to allow a few sick people ruin our lives.its time our politicians pay for their sins, nigerians must take the fight to them
RE: IBB
IF THE NUMBER OF CORRUPT PEOPLE ARE HIGHER IN NIGERIA THAN THE NUMBER OF CREDIBLE ONES & IF THOSE MAJORITY ARE NOT READY TO CHANGE FOR BETTER, THEN FORGET ABOUT YOUR THOUGHT. IBB WILL EMERGE AS YOUR PRESIDENT.
I DON'T BELEIVE THIS COUNTRY
I DON'T BELEIVE THIS COUNTRY HAS A LAW, HOW SOMEONE JUST CAMEOUT AND SAYING THIS? IT'S A LIE, U KILLED AND YOU HAVE BOLDNESS THAT YOU DID IT BCOS U FEAR ORDINARY HUMABEING, IF POOR MAN STOLE #5 IT CRIME BUT IF RICH MAN STOLE BILLIONS OF NAIRA IS JOLLY NAIJA, GOD PLEASE SAVE THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O my God
This letter certainly is not from IBB, but i would make a little comment about those who aspire to lead us IBB inclusive. OBJ,BUHARI,IBB etc are certainly Grand fathers at this time of their lives, I expect that they should rather preoccupy themselves with trying to be statesmen rather than scrambling for power directly or indirectly. Please take a cue from BILL clinton, Bush jnr & snr, Jimmy carter and even locally, Chief olusola Saraki who has prepared his children to take over from him and who are doing a good job of it. It is sad that our leaders are growing older but refusing to grow up!
Which god are you talking
Which god are you talking about (the one you say will allow IBB rule if it desires? It cannot be the Only True God whose heart bleeds at all the evil misdeeds initiated by IBB that have continued to plague our wonderful country even so many years since he was booted out of office. Lately he is advocating for zoning. How can that person be the one we need to take our great nation forward. God forbid, IBB juju no catch me.
I think the shame should go
I think the shame should go to you who cannot discern good from evil to be defending the most wicked ruler Nigeria has ever had this way. Shame on you Kanty.
This is cheap blackmail on
This is cheap blackmail on the part of SR! Is IBB worse tha OBJ? haba1 Dun allah.Leave the man alone.Whether u like or not, the man will rule Nigeria if God desires, Chikina!
Is this true
Is this letter really from IBB?
How can he admit murder in a letter and says he is sorry? Where is justice then
How can he say he annulled an election because the was afraid and calls himself a leader?
Someone tell me is the letter for real? Or is someone playing a joke.
Unless you can prove this letter is real I will personally see it as a joke
STAY CLEAR!
Stay clear clear from Nigerian polity because you betrayed the trust we had in you.What actually made you anull june 12 elections,kill Dele Giwa and a host of other atrocities you comitted while in office tells us who you are.If you were the one that actually wrote this "Gen. Ibrahim Babangida Writes Nigerians!" shows you take Nigerians to be fools who can not reason.We do not want you to rule us again.
Nigeria doesn't want Ngida Again
Nigeria doesn't need Babangida again. He should keep his satiric piece to himself and family. He sit in his 50 bedrooms mansion and read his long rambling to his children and grand children. For ASO ROCK is not for him, again.
We dont want any more, why
We dont want any more, why you want to rule us again? Nigerians say they want you, what about all the all the people you have killed? both known and unknown. Why you dont want to leave the country alone and enjoy your loots.At this age, you still continue to tell stories and lies upon lies, you think Nigerians are fools, Nigerians are more wiser today, is only the fools in the north you deceived. You have hidden agenda thats the reason why you want to force your self on us again. Why cant you use your brain Mr fool IBB.Everybody talking against you, all the news paper talking against you, still yet you dont bloody care.Something must be wrong with you.
IBB
I do not see anything brilliant in bad taste journalism
nor in made-up story.... Can you pull the same write-ups for God Anointed, remember OBJ ? I have lived through all Nigerian leaders and I can point to no one that will stand above the fray. Let me know of any, if I missed the boat. OBJ was never great the first time around but was praised to a comeback... Even Zik, the questionable Father of Nigeria nation tried a comeback , Ojukwu not outdone. What I can say is that these guys are so daft that we become idiots ourselves
Brilliant sattire and masterful portryal of irony!
The author's take on irony is just brilliant! This is sattire at its best. Even UK's Rory Bremner will be hard pressed to match this delivery! Well done and kudos to you. As can be expected, the irony and sattire will go right over the heads of the clueless semi-illiterates who clog up the readers' comments section of Sahara's posts with their 'jigaboo' crap.
I don't think I have laughed so much as I have reading your write up. Well done and Bravo, comrade! Brilliant! Bloody brilliant!!
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