Former Nigerian military president Ibrahim Babangida, IBB, has explained why the military will not interfere in Nigerian politics again.
The former military leader stated that military interference robbed Nigeria of true federalism. IBB added that the era of military dabbling in politics has come to an end because Nigerians have become more interested in becoming a truly democratic nation.
Babangida spoke in an interview with Channels Television on Friday.
IBB said: “I think that failure to achieve true federalism is one of the effects of the aberration of the military regimes. It countered the democratic process.
“Such things happen. But I believe it will not happen again. This is because Nigerians are more interested in becoming a truly democratic nation in Africa, and as such, I don’t think it will happen,” Babangida added.
He, however, said that, as a military leader, he freed the economy. He said he did it by allowing the private sector to be the hub of the country’s economy.
Also, Babangida said the time had come to give more powers to the states.
He said, “I believe in restructuring and devolution of powers to the states to give them more powers. And that means you are going to give them more resources to run their own affairs so that we run a federal government the way federations are run all over the world.”
Furthermore, IBB suggested how the government can end the trend of mass emigration of Nigerians to other countries.
“I think the environment should be created in such a way that people will be motivated to work for the country. So, I share the view very much that we made names in a lot of countries, US, UK. Nigerians are doing very well in all professions.
“Why not do the same here in our own country? So we have to create an environment that is suitable for this sort of service that Nigerians have to give to their own country. I think it is possible,” Babangida noted.
Babangida also dismissed fears that Nigeria may be heading to a one-party state. He said Nigerians would not allow that to happen.
“I have been in a military regime. And the Nigerians, I know, won’t allow a one-party state. I have been a military man, and I know dictatorship can’t survive in a civil society.
“The Nigerians I know will not allow it. They will talk you out of it. You can say, Okay, I don’t want to forget about it,” the ex-military leader said.
He advocated a two-party state to save Nigeria a lot of funds and the problems associated with a multi-party state.
Babangida equally suggested that independent candidates could also be allowed to contest for political offices.
“One can contest as an independent candidate if the person is strong enough to get supporters,” he said.
Babangida was one of the military men who led the country during that period. He ruled for eight years, – 1985 to 1993.