Former military president General Ibrahim Badamasi BabangidaFormer military president General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangidahas said that the military have no business in supervising elections, stressing that policing of election processes should be left to the police.


He made this remark yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen in Minnaon the occasion of his 73rd birthday coming up tomorrow.
Babangida, who spoke at his uphill residence, said with a well trained and well-equipped police force, elections could be held in the country without any rancour.


“I don’t believe that the military should supervise elections
because I don’t believe it should participate. A peep into the Nigeria Police Force, which is the closest to the people, is capable of doing so if the government is able to train them, they will be able to handle any situation,” the former leader said.


“I was already an officer in the Nigerian Army in the 60s and there were no military presence (during elections) in those days except the Nigeria Police and I think it is high time we restored the past glory of the force. But I think it is again, what the developing countries face,” he added.


He argued that the military could only be used in electoral processes in circumstances for giving logistical support, citing the case of Niger Delta, which has a difficult terrain.


“You can ask those people (military) operating the boats to use their boats in ferrying ballot boxes to such places that cannot be easily accessed through the road and that is perfectly okay. But pertinently, I don’t believe the military guys should be seen on the streets,” Babangida stated.


On President Goodluck Jonathan’s unconfirmed ambition to seek a second term in 2015, the ex-military leader said the president is free to contest for any position likeany other Nigerian, adding that whoever is occupying such an office would be willing to seek re-election.


“Well, if you were in his shoes, wouldn’t you want to come back if you are there? If you belief in what you are doing and you are doing well, why shouldn’t you? I think what is lacking is what I have always referred to as voter education, the level of understanding, the level of belief is still below what we expect,” he said.