₦airaland Forum

Who among all those other candidates can even attempt a restructuring of Nigeria for true federalism?

I don't see any other. .

[b]Babangida may not possess all the qualities needed in our president at this historical moment, but he certainly possesses some critical ones. [/b]The crucial question for me is whether his personal qualities will facilitate or militate against his own definition of the primary task at hand, which is restructuring the country for 'true federalism'.

WORD!

[size=14pt]Babangida, federalism and 2011[/size]
By Jideofor Adibe


Former military president General Ibrahim Babangida is reportedly consulting widely on whether to join the 2011 presidential race. Speaking in Abeokuta on April 1, 2010, as chairman of Governor Gbenga Daniel's birthday lecture series, Babangida was said to have recommended 'true federalism' as the recipe for the country's intractable political problems. The Vanguard (online) of April 1, 2011 further quoted him as saying: "Some people have tagged me an advocate of confederalism. True federalism is the issue for this country. We have lived together for 50 years and there are issues that must be addressed." There are several observations about Babangida's recommendation of 'true federalism', and his putative presidential ambition:

One, federalism as a political system in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and the constituent units (states, local governments or provinces), rests not only on the federating units having enough political autonomy to preserve their local peculiarities but also sufficient financial autarky to ensure that their independence is not compromised. The current 36-state system for instance clearly undermines the principle behind the adoption of federalism in the country because with the possible exception of Lagos and the old Kano state, virtually all the states in the country are dependent on allocations from the federal government for their economic survival.

This means that starting from the creation of the 12-state structure by Gowon in 1967, Nigeria has been a unitary state in a federal clothing - a matter which was not helped by military rule and its associated centralised command structure of rule. Though Babangida's prescription of 'true federalism' could be a panacea for many of the country's problems, its effectuation would involve a number of very tough decisions, including re-organising the current 36 state structure into about six to make each unit financially viable and reduce the cost of government. Does Babangida have what it takes to enforce such a tough but very necessary action?

Two, despite his shortcomings and army of very vocal critics, Babangida remains one of the very few Nigerians who feel truly comfortable in the company of other Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic origin or religion. In a fractious and polarised country, where an increasing number of citizens are challenging the basis and viability of the Nigeria project, individuals who enjoy legitimacy from across the main fault lines, will be looked upon by many, including foreign friends of the country, to play a leading role in preventing the country from falling over the precipice.

In addition to transcending ethnic and religious divide, no leader has perhaps humanised power or retained personal followership outside of office, more than the gap-toothed General. Some 17 years after he stepped aside from power, you still find influential individuals from all over the country who proudly call themselves 'Babangida boys'. It is simplistic to believe that all his loyalists are people who benefitted materially from him when he was in power. A friend, who is now late, once told me of his encounter with Babangida when the latter was the Head of State. The friend was in the VIP lounge at the Murtala Mohammed airport when suddenly Babangida had to pass by to go and board a flight. On sighting him, Babangida left his security details, walked up to him, called him by his name, shook his hands, and asked about his elder brother. In a country where every penny whistle wants to be called a trumpet and political leaders take it as an insult if you fail to treat them as deities, gestures like that often win people's hearts. In this respect, Babangida could be said to be one of the few Nigerian leaders whose humanity was not destroyed by the trappings of power, and this could well be the basis of his appeal to many people. It was said that even as Head of State Babangida still remembered to call or send birthday cards to his friends. If you have had a friend who became even a Local Government councillor or came into sudden wealth, you will better appreciate what power or money is capable of doing to otherwise good people, or how difficult it is for most people to manage success.

Three, while Babangida's personal qualities will guarantee him substantial support from across the country's main fault lines, they are likely to become an albatross when it comes to restructuring the country for 'true federalism'. Restructuring the country for true federalism would involve taking on the powerful political class - governors, senators, ministers and other political gladiators and wannabes who are likely to fight to preserve their privileges. With Babangida's reputation for cherishing friendship and not wanting to hurt the feelings of his friends, it is doubtful if he will be able to take such a tough action that will be hugely unpopular with his political associates. In contrast to Obasanjo or Buhari who are very decisive with a single-minded devotion to any cause they believe in, Babangida seems to rely on cunning to achieve his objectives. As military president for instance, his strategy was a combination of co-optation ('settlement'), going on a charm offensive and allying with different groups to achieve a particular objective and then moving out of the alliance as quickly as the goal was achieved.

Four, though Buhari has the requisite toughness and decisiveness necessary to restructure the country, he lacks the acceptance that Babangida enjoys from across the ethnic and religious divides. As Head of State for instance, Buhari committed a mortal sin of constituting a Supreme Military Council of 19, with 12 of these coming from the North, and 11 of them being Muslims. He also chose as his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, a fellow Northerner and Muslim. This lack of sensitivity to the country's main fault lines means that he remains deeply distrusted in the South and by non-Muslims. In fact even before he was overthrown in 1985, his regime was openly derided in the South as either 'the military wing of the NPN' or 'the armed faction of the Kaduna mafia'. He is therefore unlikely to be a viable presidential candidate on any party platform or a unifying factor in this moment in our political evolution. Chief Obafemi Awolowo committed the same grievous error in 1979 when he chose Philip Umeadi, a Christian Igbo, to be his running mate. If reports that Buhari is set to choose Tinubu, a fellow Muslim, as his running mate, is true, then it becomes questionable how much he understands the sensibility of the country he once led and aspires to lead again. Though Abiola won with a Muslim-Muslim ticket, I remain unconvinced that the regime would have been a success if the mandate was actualised, given the depth of the religious chasm in the country.

Five, it will be almost impossible to find an ideal leader for Nigeria in 2011- someone who will combine the best attributes of Obasanjo, Buhari, and Babangida with Nuhu Ribadu's passion for the job. The ideal leader, just like the ideal man or woman, is perfectly academic. In the end we will have to settle for a leader, who, like the rest of us, is not perfect, but who hopefully possesses some abilities to make a difference. Babangida may not possess all the qualities needed in our president at this historical moment, but he certainly possesses some critical ones. The crucial question for me is whether his personal qualities will facilitate or militate against his own definition of the primary task at hand, which is restructuring the country for 'true federalism'.

Dr. Adibe, a publisher and author, lives in London.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/editorial_opinion/article02/120410?pdate=120410&ptitle=Babangida,%20federalism%20and%202011

Kobojunkie:
If you can prove they were not purchased, please go right ahead!


Babangida NEVER SAVED Ibos during those years. In fact, he polarized the country even more by installing Northerners and removing qualified southerners from office so he could control it all. I am sorry, but if you lived through those years, there is NO WAY you can come in here to tell us what he never did. I particular remember the east had hope the early years but at the end, that place was almost desolate.

I gave you an assignment: Find out what IBB did for the Igbo prompting them to give him the title Oguguo Ndigbo.
Find out and then return.

I used to be as naive as you during the June 12 saga and even until a few months back. I used to be among those calling Arthur Nzeribe names. I stopped when I grew up to understand Nigeria more. My first choice of candidate for next years election  (Donald Duke) doesn't even stand a chance. The most realistic (and by implication- best) person to take over next year is IBB.

You can build your castle in the air. I cannot afford that luxury.

Nigeria can actually disintegrate if OBJ's injustices continue.

Kobojunkie:
Yes, the same Ndigbo that payed from their pockets to get an airport? The same ndigbo that had Orji Kalu as governor for as long as they did with nothing to show for it? The same ndigbo that consider some of the world's biggest idiots leaders and even give them chieftancy titles? Come on!!! you and I know Cheiftancy titles are today given to the one who gives the biggest BRIBE. Cut the bull please and let us focus on dissecting the real events of the day, not what the man has been able to buy for himself 17 years later or thereabout.

Well your argument is a chicken and egg one. No one can say for sure when buying of titles began in Nigeria, but there are titles and there are titles. You cannot tell me that Ikemba Nnewi and [b]Dike di ora nma 1 of Igboland [/b]are purchased titles.

Anyway, you are entitled to your opinions on this topic, but I wanted you to understand that one man's devil may be another man's savior. Nigeria is not a just country yet. What I hate is the duplicity of some Nigerians -they scream and shout and threaten about IBB, but turn a deaf ear on OBJ.

As long as OBJ is still pulling the strings in Nigeria, it will be dumb of me not to support IBB.

Kobojunkie:
No, You do not speak for all Ibos cause I know for a fact that your words are just your bile and non others. I can't believe anyone who actually lived in Nigeria all through Babangida's time, especially in the eastern part of the country that experienced some of the worst DECAY during those years, can make the comparisons that you do above. Please, desist from claiming to speak for people who have no clue who in the world you are, many of whom  would be appalled that you claim to be one of them, and supposedly are here offering up what you have above on their behalf. Speak for yourself!

My turn to ask you how old were you during IBB rule (1985- 1993)?

I did not say I was speaking for my Igbo people, I said that Obasanjo hates Igbo people, and I have proof of that. OBJ still controls the powers of the ruling party PDP. Left for him, my people will not smell our entitlements in Nigeria even in a million years. He thinks that hiring a few Igbo to work at his whims and caprices (hire and fire at will) will foool us.
Anyway, not to digress from your points,

IBB was given a chieftaincy title Oguguo Ndigbo (the consoler or comforter of Igbo people) by the Igbo in his last rule. Your assignment is to go and find out why the Igbo gave him that title. It was in appreciation for a particular thing he did for the Igbo. Also, yesterday he was given the title of Dike dozieni (the warrior that fixes or repairs the land or nation) by the Asaba people in delta state. The meaning behind these titles say a lot about how IBB is perceived in Igboland.

I didn't give him those emotional titles. My people did.

Kobojunkie:
How old where you when IBB came to office, let alone spent years sitting back, watching Infrastructure turn to dust? [/b]How old were you when the same man was busy enriching himself and those close to himself while the poverty rose and people realized their only hope would be another one of his friends, Abiola, to get us out from the jam we allowed ourselves to get into? [b]I really want to know cause when I read some of your comments on the man, I wonder if you were ever there during those years.

I will not be drawn into sharing my age on a public forum. All I can tell you is that I was old enough to see things for myself and compare them with Obasanjo's 8 years reign of terror. IBB is a saint compared to Obasanjo.

Now, I raised Obasanjo because the man is still the king maker today despite his unrepentant and unchanging belief in brigandage. OBJ is still scheming to keep Nigeria the way he wants it, even if his ways are warped and unfair. OBJ does not understand fairness and justice. He only understands "power". . .  and yes he hates my people. The only power I see that can change that in Nigeria today is IBB. So, you can see that this is quite personal to me and folks from my side of Nigeria.
IBB will bring fairness and justice to all Nigerians.

Kobojunkie:
It is all about Tribe for you, isn't it? Well Continue in your ways ooo!!!!

Take an honest view of Nigeria from 1970 to date and you would see that it has been all about tribe. IBB is the only northerner I know that sees the whole of the country the same way. He is not popular (or controversial) across the WHOLE nation for nothing.
His government was a listening one even as a military dictator. He will perform better as a civilian president. Since power is returning to the north next year (you can choose to believe otherwise), my safest bet in the north is IBB.

Kobojunkie:
@FineCat, @OnlyTruth

Do you two not see how you are part and parcel of the Nigerian problem here? Even if @Shoot2kill is a minor, at least he identifies that the problem is not people of different tribes but the leaders who have sucked this nation dry for decades, playing the TRIBE card to distract folks like you, while they continue.

The dude goes after Babangida, and instead you two try to CUT HIM DOWN for at least claiming HE will do something about the situation? [/b]Not backing his move as I think it is suicide but come on you two!!! When will you learn to put aside your hate for your fellow man? When?

I was only recalling our history when I raised the issue of the failed 1966 revolution, the aftermath of which was the death of 50,000 innocent people. [b]Shoot2kill [/b]and[b] FineCat (both of whom I suspect are EmperorOlu) were threatening to kill IBB if he wins presidential elections next year. I merely reminded them (him ) of the naivety and idiocy of threatening a free citizen of Nigeria, whose "crime" is the exercise of his constitutionally guaranteed rights of seeking an elective position.

Like I said in my earlier post, if IBB runs with a Donald Duke, Ken Nnamani, Emeka Anyaoku or even Ernest Ndukwe, I will vote for him. If he runs with Orji Kalu, I will not vote for him.

invisible!:
@ metal gong, onlytruth, why the change? How can ibb help the Igbo cause? Abi we have any hidden agenda.

I never changed. I am doing the Nigerian politics the way others have done it for ages. IBB is good for Nigeria because at least he understands fairness and balance. He is the most cosmopolitan northerner I know, and it is the turn of the north to produce the president next year. Obasanjo was there for 8 years. IBB is not more corrupt than some who are preparing to contest next year.

@ Shoot2Kill

You are an EMPTY BARREL sounding hollow!  It is the trademark of your people. When the real sh**t hits the fan, all you do is yell opami o! Coward.

You think we buy any of these your empty rants!

My real name is[b] EmperorOlu![/b]

I really pray that IBB runs (and I know he will, he said so already). Go prepare your gun and wait for 50 million Islamic extremists from the north to get your backside. Just don't run back to South Africa.

People are just being idiotic threatening IBB here. lol! Sometimes I think that maybe violence needs to properly go round Nigeria before sanity finally prevails. That is why folks who have never witnessed real violence in Nigeria are here spitting fire here. The day your wishes will come true, don't run away o!

In 1966, some young idealistic patriots who happened to be Igbo tried something like that. The result was the death of 50,000 innocent Igbo people, and some of you still have not condemned that act, yet you are here threatening.
All of you guys just need to calm down. IBB is a free citizen of Nigeria and can contest for any political office in the land.
Kill him and unleash what you cannot control.

Meanwhile I will vote for IBB if he contests with someone I can trust like Senator Ken Nnamani or Emeka Anyaoku or Donald Duke. I won't vote for him if he runs with Orji Kalu. All these are assuming that Jonathan won't run.

Abagworo:
@finecat.you sound rather juvenile and ridiculous.you are threatening to kill a man based on hear say.that is really funny.every regime has its good and bad.it is just a matter of how the media paints the regime.are you aware that politically associated killings have happened more during this 4th republic than the entire years of military rule put together.if you understand rule of law, then june 12 was annuled by a court of law.i'm not trying to defend ibb but just seeing things neutrally without sentiments.majority of the actually violent nigerians support him.majority of electorates support him,governors support him,AC alongside other parties is lobbying for him to be their presidential candidate,he enjoys international support,obj is by his side.what else is needed to win an election?

Bros you took words right out of my mouth! These guys just make me laugh.

Obasanjo ruled for 8 years, many people were killed and so much corruption took place. We couldn't even vote or have our votes counted. No one killed Obasanjo for all his evil deeds in Nigeria. Suddenly people are threatening to kill IBB for not committing up to 20% of Obasanjos crimes.

Well, for every extremist in the west, there are 100 in the north. A word is enough for the wise.

OAM4J:
Am more baffled than you. Cant believe anyone will support IBB.  

I hope he doesn't succeed, if he does! if he becomes the president of Nigeria again!!, I will . . . (keep it to myself).

The guy don become president already. lol!

Otobroto:
Is there no one that can stop IBB?

Those who would cannot and those can wouldn't. Go figure!

Even Babangida was able to allow a free and fair elections in Nigeria. Obasanjo is the only problem I see in terms of electoral malpractice and do or die politics in Nigeria.
If Iwu is sacrificed, it doesn't change anything. I would remove OBJ from the PDP board chair before removing Iwu.

Why am I not surprised by this news?
I am not a fan of Prof. Iwu, but I would be naive to assume that Nigeria's electoral problems ends with Iwu's removal.
In fact I would say that neutralizing the Otta farmer will bring more free and fair elections to Nigeria than anything else.

Katsumoto:
So Biafran strategy/success was based on the west taking sides with Biafra against northern elements without prior consultation? I agree that the task would have been easier had there been an agreement with Yoruba groups but there was none. If Banjo sabotaged the BEF, why did he return to Ojukwu to be executed? You say the 2nd division was diminished, yet Murtala lost approximately 5000 men alone in trying to cross at Onitsha. Thats just 2000 men less than the number of men in the two BEF divisions together. I can't recollect how large that division was but I am sure it was considerably larger than the BEF.

You are still implicitly making the same mistake of assuming that only numbers win war (after admitting the opposite earlier).
The BEF was populated by mainly career soldiers unlike the Murtala 2nd division made up of new personnel who joined the army after the failed midwest incursion.

You argue like you would pursue the same strategy again. We are debating the strategy today; I doubt that many will agree with that strategy. It was flawed and that was why it failed. A better strategy would have been to send Banjo to Ibadan to try to convince Yoruba political and military leaders to form an alliance. Element of surprise can result in victory only if you completely annihilate your enemy. As long as there was no alliance with the west and there were still other brigades, the BEF would have been isolated. That is just my opinion  

BTW, thanks for the praise but you do not have to sound condescending. That our positions are divergent does not imply that yours is superior.

Look, many already accepted that Ojukwu made a major strategic mistake by assigning a Banjo to lead the BEF.
History had it that western region never made up its quota in the military. So, the BEF was not in much danger if they made it to Lagos. The East was the only region that made up its military quota across the board (all tribes). The north had to rely on their minority groups to make up the northern quota. What that tells me is that the East was not shy of military career. So, if you argued that the Western region could never have supported Biafra (based on that weak position), we may begin to see your point. But, to say that the Banjo-led BEF was in much danger in Lagos is not true.
Biafra's biggest mistake in the war was to allow Banjo to lead the BEF. Dede1 has covered most of these points.

ChinenyeN:
Wow. . . all these people talking, do they really know who the "Igbo" are, or do they just have their ignorant pre-conceived notions? See how quickly these non-Igbo jump to the aid of Ikwere. Are the Ikwere the only Igbo group that can lay claims to distinction? ma i mafuragh, ogwemonye nhie Ngwa. Ngwa nno ichhe. La mgbamgba erne omelala anyi, nwa ogbede nnwa la ehiefugh Ngwa mbudinu nnwa Ohnuhnu. Unu anufu hnwe ma akala nunu?

I swear I can only figure out about 2% of the bold quote, yet that is Igbo!
I completely agree with you. lol!

^^^
At least if APGA can't do anything, it will deny PDP a footing, and we all know that PDP is evil in Igboland.

I started hating that guy when I found out that he talks more than he does and most often does the opposite of what he says.
What is Imo state doing about other parties in the state especially APGA? I know deep down my heart that APGA has to be popular in Imo. Is APGA failing in Imo? Any information please. .
Ohakim is a PDP thug!

frosbel:
Let IBB :

1. Return all the stolen billions, $12 Billion dollars in total.

Which of the former Nigerian leaders returned his loot? Did Obasanjo return his loot from FESTAC and ITT?

2. Accept that he was behind Dele Giwa's death and offer an apology and valid reason.

Since when did that start to happen in Nigeria?, i.e accounting for dead citizens. IBB should not start to account. Has OBJ accounted for the deaths while he was president?

3. Apologise for the annulment of the June 12 elections and the mayhem that esnued.

He has nothing to apologize for there. He didn't annul the elections alone. Even some of Abiola's kinsmen played a role in the annulment. No one should scapegoat IBB.

If these 3 points are achieved THEN MAYBE we will agree that he is truly repentant for his past actions and give me a chance to contest.

The day we embark on a truth and reconciliation effort, that may become relevant. For now, we are looking for someone to lead Nigeria next year. We don't have to convict anyone based on gossip and hearsay.

^^^

I don't attack any member unless they attack me first. The guy had no reasons to attack me. Your points are welcome and taken. Thanks!

Of course Biafra was NOT an Igbo thing. It was an Eastern thing. That does not mean that all secessions must be in the context of a "Biafra". Nothing is cast on iron. Most Igbo these days talk of a different secession model if things don't change for them in Nigeria.

GenBuhari:
@ metal-gong, Do not resort to personal attacks, as it is a sign of having lost the argument.
@Metal-Gong & Onlytruth,
Your opinions are foolish and baseless (it is clear you are in a microscopic minority).

It appears that u couldn't careless whether that[b] IBB wants to return bury our nation [/b]that he had already wrecked.

So I am asking both of you 2 questions:

1. Who is paying you to write such foolish views on this forum?

2. Have you benefitted from the corrupt system? i.e have you or your relatives ever looted public funds?

Na wa for this guy o!

I would have asked you to first research my posts before making the above statements. You've only posted 70 times on nairaland; even if you've only posted on this section, that is minuscule, comparatively speaking. You have not learned enough about the "nation" you are here defending. I've read from you once that you are from south east. You are the real idiot.

I have always advised every new poster to spend time to read up on topics before posting. Nairaland is a BIG SCHOOL. Until you do the reading first and spend some real time debating issues here, watch your tongue!

IBB is best for Nigeria next year!

No one from the south can tackle the following issues: restructuring, national conference (if needed), state police, true federalism, and equitable distribution of political power in Nigeria. The south does not have the real power (military) to effect such fundamental changes to Nigeria. The only northerner I know that is willing, clever enough and liberal enough to take on these issues is IBB.

I don't expect neophytes to understand.

tensor777:
^^
There will be no unilateral movement of any section or region out of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Such a thing is entirely non-negotiable.

I have a question for you on that: If the north decides to secede from Nigeria today, who would or even can stop them?

Folks like you always assume that a seceding section must be from the south, especially the east because you know of the injustices against easterners .

Let me tell you, the north can secede anytime from Nigeria because it has the military muscle (installations and men) to do anything it wants with Nigeria.  They are not seceding yet because they are in Nigeria on their terms. The day that changes, they can still secede.
All it takes for your statement to be entirely fooolish is to balance that somehow. In this day and age, the world is fluid. All you really need is the international connections. There are millions of Igbos outside Nigeria today.

Continued Igbo marginalization in Nigeria is one of the things I know that will certainly lead to Nigeria's disintegration . Mark my word on that.

cap28:
but nigeria has never had to defend itself from foreign invaders, neither has it tried to invade other countries in order to expand its territory, so how can it boast of having "great" war generals as it would only be in the above circumstances that you could measure greatness. the only engagements the nigerian army has been involved in are the genocide of the igbos and the subsequent repression of the niger delta indigenes (oh yes and its role as house boy sorry peacekeeper for the west in other parts of Africa) so no nigerian military man has been in a situation where he has had to truly test his military abilities.

Can nigerian soldiers square up to the americans,the british, the cubans, the vietnamese, the chinese?

Thank you for the bolded quote! People are just being silly trying to mention individuals from the civil war. One of the so called "Generals" from the civil war era handed Bakassi to Cameroun without even raising a finger or voice.

As far as I can say, the only Nigerian general who came close to such greatness was [size=14pt]GENERAL SANI ABACHA[/size].

He stationed about 10,000 Nigerian troops in Bakassi and kept the place. He was prepared to defend the territory.

So, I'll give it to Abacha.

biina:
Seems you struggle with English comprehension. I have already given my answer in the previous post.

Yea, I understand Igbo better. 

[size=14pt]Was 1966 the first time Igbo were killed in the north?[/size]

Back to school.

biina:
If you have evidence to the contrary please share
You can start with 1953 riots (or 1945 if you want to go further back)

You expect me to answer that when you refused to answer my question? I am not your teacher. If you don't know the answer to that then why are you here arguing?

kobonaija:
I'm afraid that our situation in Nigeria is so deplorable that anything is possible.

I have come to realise that there is a Greater King that rules among men, and that has the power to raise one up and debase the other.

As citizens we are powerless as our individual votes don't count, though that doesn't mean I won't vote, but the fact is that it is all about SELECTION, NOT ELECTION.

Only God can deliver us as a nation. Only God can rid us of usurpers

No, God cannot be mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, so shall he reap (so says the bible).
The God I serve is not a God of perfidy and sweeping things under the carpet. I hope you are not asking God to come to the rescue of a devils coven.

My prayer is a more honest one: God please bring Nigeria to justice, and let the chips fall wherever they may!

If I have only my hometown to call country after that, then so be it!

@biina

The killing of Igbos in the north is only just waning after Igbos (1) started fighting back right there in the north and (2) started retaliating in the east.

But, answer my question first. 

biina:
You bend facts and misrepresent the truth when you make it seem like if the Northerners woke up one morning, smacked their behinds, and decided to go on a killing spree of the 'innocent' Igbos. There were preceding events in which the Igbos were not innocent.

I have some questions for you on that: Was that the first time northerners embarked on a killing spree of Igbos in the north? Was 1966 even the third time?
And after 1966 has there not been countless killing of Igbos in the north?

When you have answered these questions, the lying party here becomes obvious!