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  • Babangida, Abacha era, my most difficult service years – Former US envoy

    Babangida, Abacha era, my most difficult service years – Former US envoy

    Ambassador Tibor Nagy (Jr) was the Deputy U. S. Ambassador to Nigeria during the reigns of the late Gen. Sanni Abacha, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). His boss was Amb. Walter Carrington. Ambassador Nagy, who is currently the Vice Provost for International Affairs at Texas Technical University (TTU), is, however, anxious to return to a new Nigeria even as he is facilitating a partnership between TTU and the Oyo State Technical University. In this interview with BISI OLADELE, Nagy reflects on his sojourn in Nigeria and describes the period as “the most difficult aspect of his foreign service career.” Excerpts:

    How would you describe your experience as the Deputy U. S. Ambassador in Nigeria?

    It was the most difficult aspect of my service career. I had three heads of state during my service in Nigeria. Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Sanni Abacha. Every Nigerian knew Gen. Abacha did not like the U. S. He especially did not like our ambassador, Walter Carrington. So, working under that circumstances was extremely difficult.

    Can you recall one or two of those difficult experiences?

    First, very few government officials would be willing to talk to us because Gen. Abacha was not kind to those people who disagreed with him or did things against him. Two, we would be called to Abuja at the last minute on the instruction that Gen. Abacha wanted to see us. But we would sit down, waiting and waiting, sometimes till 2 am. The Nigerian security people would be following us. It was not what I call a pleasant experience. But at the same time, those of us who were there enjoyed Nigeria and Nigerians. We had many friends, even in the media. It was very courageous of them to come to the American Embassy or the ambassador’s residence or to my residence because those residences were under close watch of security. So, it was really courageous for them to come to us. You will recall that many journalists were arrested, some were jailed, some were beaten up. We thank God the country has moved on.

    Now that TTU is in a partnership with a Nigerian university, would you ever love to return to Nigeria for any official assignment?

    I am looking forward to that. I am excited to return to Nigeria because I know Nigeria will be a totally different country now. Same people but living in a totally different country. I am looking forward to seeing Murtala Mohammed International Airport and other places in a free society.

    Why are you eager to go back there in spite of your bad experience when you served there?

    Even during the bad experience, I knew that every true Nigerian is good. Now I am going back to see a true Nigeria and Nigerians.

    From your experience, how would you describe a typical Nigerian?

    A typical Nigerian is dynamic, ambitious, energetic, open to the world, moving forward and that applies to the 160 million citizens immaterial of ethnic group or religion.

    If you have another opportunity to go and serve again in Nigeria, would you accept it?

    I will. I was in the Governor Romney’s Presidential race team. If he had won the presidential election, I would have asked him to send me back to Nigeria.

  • Five governors are patriots, says Babangida

    Five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday took their save-democracy crusade to Minna, the Niger State capital.

    They met with two former Heads of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Their self-appointed mission, started with a meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Their intention, according to them, is to avert a drift as a result of the crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Rivers PDP.

    The governors are Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano).

    Nyako was not at yesterday’s meeting, which lasted two hours at the Presidential Lodge in Minna, the Niger State capital. He was said to have been held back in Yola by a meeting with a Cameroonian envoy.

    “I want to commend the governors and some of their colleagues. I was very impressed because they have seen the problem of the country as our problem and they have taken the right steps to consult widely in trying to find solution to some of these problems.

    “These governors are real patriots and I am very happy and I told them so,” Gen. Babangida said after the meeting.

    The meeting started about 12:30pm. Wamakko arrived first at 11:16 am. Lamido and Kwankonso arrived together about 12:01 pm. Aliyu arrived at 12:14 pm after a brief executive council meeting.

    Gen. Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami arrived together in a Mercedes Benz car marked BE 323 WSH at 12:25pm. The meeting started after all members of the Niger State Executive Council, except Deputy Governor Musa Ibeto, had been asked to leave.

    Speaking after the meeting, Aliyu said: “It is a platform we could use to actualise our political dreams. We are consulting with our elders and leaders and let’s look at some of the problems and find solutions to the problems some of us perceive we are facing.”

    The meeting, he added, worked at finding solutions to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) crisis and other political issues.

    Though Aliyu said no resolution had been reached, he added: “We are consulting to make sure that we all understand the issue and we all come out with a solution. We also have to carry our people together as we go along. “

    Asked if the Rivers State crisis was discussed, Aliyu said: “There is no gathering in Nigeria now where Rivers State issues will not come up, but our meeting is a larger issue than even the Governors’ Forum. We are discussing how to solve them.”

    Also yesterday, Nyako elaborated on the G-5 governors’ initiative.

    According to him, the governors are passionate about Nigeria’s development.

    Nyako’s Director of Press and Public Affairs Alhaji Ahmed Sajoh quoted the governors as saying: “We will continue to make efforts to save the party (PDP). But, if our efforts fail to work out, we have no alternative than to fold our arms and see PDP dead. We will help in burying it.”

    “We have held consultations with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Board of Trustee (BoT) chairman of PDP on the need for him and other major stakeholders to save the party from dying.

    “We are not stopping with Obasanjo as one of the most respected Nigerians of our time; we will proceed to the likes of Gen Babangida and Gen. Abubakar and other eminent Nigerians just to mention but a few.”

    He said unless these serious minded Nigerians intervened in time, the PDP, “which all of us built and nurtured to maturity will die of natural death.”

    Nyako described the current trend in the PDP as worrisome, adding that its internal crisis is a threat to democracy.

    According to him, governors of like minds will not fold their arms and see the party hijacked and thrown to the dustbin by a few individuals, hence their moves.

    Some of Nyako’s loyalists have defected to the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), which is part of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

  • ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    Nigerians on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the most credible election ever conducted in the history of the country.

    The June 12, 1993 presidential election that was controversially annulled by Ibrahim Babangida –led military junta pitched the billionaire business mogul -turned politician – the late Chief M.K.O Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party against Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, who contested the election on the platform of the proscribed National Republican Convention.

    Abiola, who died in prison on July 8, 1998, was coasting to a landslide victory in the poll until the Armed Forces Ruling Council announced its cancellation via a terse statement on June 21, 1993.

    The protests that followed the controversial decision pushed the country closer to another civil war until the former military president was forced to step aside on August 26, 2003. That development ushered in the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan, who was also ousted in a palace coup by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in November 17, 2003.

    Gen. Abacha died on June 8, 1998 in a mysterious circumstance.

    While many Nigerians genuinely laid claims to the sobriquet of “heroes and heroines of June 12 struggle and albeit democracy.” There are others whose roles in the “extermination” of the June 12 dream would never be forgotten even by generations unborn.

    They played varying roles in extinguishing the collective hope and aspirations of millions of Nigeria who came out on that historical day to elect the candidate of their choice.

    To many Nigerians these people are “Judas Iscariot” of our time because they sold their conscience for “a piece of silver.” Ironically many of them are now major beneficiaries of the present democratic experiment, occupying public offices both at state and national level.

    HAMED SHOBIYE, Assistant Editor, Online looks at some of the “perceived villains” of the June 12 struggle.

     

    Ibrahim Babangida:

    Babangida was the head of the military government that controversially annulled Nigeria’s most credible election. He was forced to step aside after nationwide protests pushed Nigeria closer to another civil war.

    Sani Abacha:

    The late head of state was a frontline member of AFRC, the military council that annulled the election.

    He allegedly played pivotal roles in the annulment and also controversially incarcerated the presumed winner of the poll who later died in detention.

    His government pushed Nigeria closer to civil war. But he died mysteriously and paved way for Nigeria’s return to civil rule.

    Arthur Nzeribe:

    The controversial former senator also played huge roles in the annulment of that historic election.

    He founded the controversial Association for Better Nigeria alongside one Abimbola Davies. The ABN obtained an interim court injunction to stop the election, a development that paved ways for the poll eventual annulment.

    Nzeribe later became a senator when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

    Uche Chukwumerije:

    A senator in the current National Assembly was a strong member of Abacha’s kitchen cabinet and campaign vigorously against the election within and outside the country.

    Walter Ofonagoro:

    Another very vocal opponent of the June 12 struggle. He was the unofficial spokesman of Abacha’s government.

    Lamidi Adedibu:

    The late strongman of Ibadan politics was a very visible opponent of the June 12 struggle. He wined and dined with the military authorities. He also provided useful information on the activities of the National Democratic Coalition, a pro-democracy group that was in the fore-front of the struggle, to the late Abacha and his hatchet men.

    Ironically, the late Ibadan high chief was one of the major beneficiaries of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule until his demise few years ago.

    Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao:

    The Ibadan-based businessman would never forget the treatment he received from students of University of Ibadan when he visited the institution for a convocation programme in November 1998. He came to the university campus with the then head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had just taken over as Nigeria’s leader after the mysterious death of Abacha, ostensibly to placate the students for frolicking with the military during the June 12 struggle.

    But he was oblivious of the harsh treatment awaiting him in the hands of the angry students who pounced on him, seized his posh cars, set them ablaze and forced him to escape from the campus through one of the police pick up vans.

     

     

  • Finally, Mohammed Babangida unveils governorship ambition

    Finally, Mohammed Babangida unveils governorship ambition

    That Mohamed Babangida, the son of the fomer Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, is set to be the next governor of Niger State in 2015 is no longer a hot-button topic. The story came into the open on May Day with the distribution of campaign bags to workers at the Workers’ Day rally held in Minna, Niger State. There, workers fell over one another to collect the bags being distributed by the foot soldiers of the Mohammed Babangida 2015 Campaign Organisation.

    The bags with inscription, ‘I have a plan. What of you?’ were enough to go round the crowd of more than 2,000 people. Embossed on the bag is the picture of Mohammed and the logo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A former governor of Niger State and political godson of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulkhadir Abdullah Kure, was said to be leading the pack of Mohammed’s backers with the oiling of the old Kure political machinery, which would soon be put into use.

    It was gathered that Mohammed has been engaging in secret political moves, making wide consultations with the people that matter in the nation’s political space.

  • Niger 2015: Waiting for Muhammed Babangida

    Niger 2015: Waiting for Muhammed Babangida

    A waiting game is ongoing in Niger State as we speak. The wait, reliable sources claim, is not about anything or anybody other than Alhaji Muhammed Babangida, son of former military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. The rumour mill has been agog for a while now that the young Babangida is interested in vying for the governorship seat of the state. The seat it was gathered has been zoned by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to the northern senatorial district where the Babangidas hail from.

    Perhaps to send out early signals of his seriousness, souvenirs and posters of Muhammed recently flooded various parts of the state. With this, it became more obvious that the Babangidas are not joking after all.

    That started the waiting game. There are indications that two groups of waiters are involved. While there are those waiting for Muhammed to publicly declare his intention for them to jump in the wagon of support and solidarity for him, there are also those waiting to tell him to his face that he is not fit to govern the north central state.

    The two groups sure have their reasons but these reasons may not be known to all until Babangida opens up.

     

  • APC, a welcome development – IBB

    APC, a welcome development – IBB

    Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has endorsed the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it is a good political development for the country.

    He also said the merger of political parties into one formidable force has vindicated the policy of two party system his administration introduced in 1992.

    Speaking with Journalists on Thursday at his Uphill residence in Minna, Niger State, Babangida recalled that he was criticised and vilified when he introduced Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Party (NRC) but expressed happiness at the coming together of four of the opposition parties to form APC.

    The former military leader noted that the development may return the country back to two party system, adding that the emergence of APC was not only good development but a viable platform to provide credible opposition and choice for others.

    Babangida, who is a card carrying member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said, ”I was a very good advocate of two parties system. When I said two party system, you people said I am a soldier, now you have seen reason why I went for two party system. I am happy for the emergence of APC, it is a welcome political development.”

    On the crisis trailing the leadership of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) which snowballed into the formation of PDP Governors’ Forum, the former leader said the crisis was elite and media induced.

    He lamented that instead of mobilizing and enlightening the masses on programmes and policies, political leaders are struggling for power without carrying the masses along.

    He cautioned political leaders to stop dissipating energy on appointments.

     

  • 2015: Babangida, Buhari others begin consultations

    2015: Babangida, Buhari others begin consultations

    The re-unification of the North ahead of the  2015 presidential poll is in progress.

    The project, which has former military president  Ibrahim Babangida,  a respected former Minister of Defence, and ex-military head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,as its arrow heads,entails rallying the entire North behind the bid for the return of the Presidency to that part of the country in the next election.

    Political and opinion leaders across the three geo-political zones-Northwest,North central and North east- are being consulted to lend their weight to the cause, The Nation gathered yesterday.

    The convener of the Northern Political Leaders Forum, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma,  a former Minister of Finance and other elders, may  be brought in in the course of the consultations.

    Investigation by our correspondent showed that the initiative has been on discreetly for at least three months.

    Five factors are said to have spurred the brains behind the project into action.

    These include  alleged alienation of the North by the presidency in appointment and policy matters; unprecedented polarization /division of the region along religious and ethnic lines; the worsening security situation in the region; alleged  under-development of the North and the yawning  gap between the North and the South ; and the manner in which the South-South has allegedly divided the nation and  what is seen in the North as its  desperate plot to retain the presidency in 2015.

    Said one source familiar with the issue: “In the last few months, Babangida, Buhari, a former defence minister and some select broad-minded Northern leaders like ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have been holding consultations on how to reunite the North and reassert its relevance in national politics.

    “Buhari is part of the group because his presidential aspiration has been a challenge to the North and without any pretence, the former Head of State commands a  large following such that his disposition could make or mar the reunification plan.

    “Since 2011, the North has lost so much to political rancour and crises. The leaders believe that they cannot allow the situation to continue like this.

    “The aftermath of the division in the North is the near relegation of the region in the scheme of things. So, the rapprochement would achieve two purposes: reunifying Northern leaders and all Northerners and assist the region to regain power or reassert its political influence in 2015.”

    Continuing,the source said: “I am confident that Babangida, Buhari and others could salvage the situation with the help of other Northern leaders.

    “It is when the leaders have reached an appreciable level that convener of the Northern Political Leaders Forum, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, and other elders would now be involved.”

    A highly-placed source in Atiku Campaign Organization, who spoke in confidence,  confirmed the reunification plan.

    The source said: “We are aware that there are underground moves to reunite Northern leaders irrespective of their political leanings. All the leaders have no doubt realized that they must reunify.

    “After bringing everyone together, these leaders will now sit down to  chart a direction for the North and its political relevance as a critical  region in Nigeria .

    “We do not know how long the reunification would last but at the appropriate time, the leaders will make their position known.”

    A source within the Northern Governors Forum said: “Talks are ongoing among Northern leaders, serving and strategic past governors, ex-ministers and political heavyweights.

    “There is  likelihood that the North will change its direction from what it did in 2011. But the details are being worked out.

    “This is not a question of zeroing in on any candidate at all. We are trying to define our interest and how to go about it. So far, there is a consensus that the North was not circumspect enough in 2011.”

    The  Convener of the Committee of Concerned Northern Professionals, Politicians, Academics and Businessmen (CCNPPAB), Dr. Junaid Mohammed, however cautioned the leaders to go for credible leaders in 2015.

    He said: “My reaction to the ongoing moves to reunite the North is that it is a welcome development. But welcoming it is not to encourage these Northern leaders to gang up. Rather, they should use it to redefine the focus of the North and help Nigeria ’s future.

    “Northern leaders have made a mistake with the so-called zoning policy. They should retrace their steps. They should really come back and show that they have learnt some lessons from the errors they committed in 2011.

    “They should not think that the presidency is a divine right of the North or not. They should re-unite to ensure that people who are just and fair are in charge of the affairs of this nation because the current leadership is neither fair nor just.”

  • Eagles will miss Martins, says Babangida

    Eagles will miss Martins, says Babangida

    FORMER Nigeria World Cup star Tijjani Babangida has stated the country will miss the goals and experience of Obafemi Martins at the AFCON.

    Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo were the notable names not on the Eagles’ preliminary 32-man squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of next month’s Nations Cup.

    The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist told MTNFootball.com that even though Stephen Keshi is in charge of the team and has the final say on his team, he still believes Levante striker Martins should have been considered for the Nations Cup.

    “Obafemi Martins should have been included in the team because he has been scoring goals in Spain almost every weekend,” Babangida argued.

    “Though Keshi should be allowed to pick his team, Martins’ experience and goals would have helped the team in South Africa.

    “At the 1998 World Cup in France, the late Rashidi Yekini was included in the team because of his wealth of experience if things didn’t go well with Victor(Ikpeba) and the others.”

    Babangida also made a case for the inclusion of Sivasspor of Turkey striker Michael Eneramo on the provisional squad.

    “I was equally surprised Eneramo was not considered at all since Keshi took over despite his exploits in Turkey,” he told MTNFootball.com

  • Eagles will miss Martins at AFCON – Babangida

    Eagles will miss Martins at AFCON – Babangida

    Former Nigeria World Cup star Tijjani Babangida has stated the country will miss the goals and experience of Obafemi Martins at the African Cup of Nations.

    Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo were the notable names omitted from the Eagles preliminary 32-man squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of next month’s Nations Cup.

    The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist told MTNFootball.com that even though Stephen Keshi is in charge of the team and has the final say on his team, he still believes the Levante striker should have been considered for the continent’s premier soccer tournament.

    “Obafemi Martins should have been included in the team because he has been scoring goals in Spain almost every weekend.

    “Though Keshi should be allowed to pick his team, Martins’ experience and goals would have helped the team in South Africa.

    “At the 1998 World Cup in France, the late Rashidi Yekini was included in the team because of his wealth of experience if things didn’t go well with Victor (Ikpeba) and the others,” MTNFootball.com quoted the ex-Ajax Amsterdam star as saying in the interview.

    Babangida also made a case for the inclusion of Sivasspor of Turkey striker Michael Eneramo on the provisional squad.

    “I was equally surprised Eneramo was not considered at all since Keshi took over despite his exploits in Turkey,” he told MTNFootball.com.

     

  • Did Babangida lie against Saraki?

    Did Babangida lie against Saraki?

    SIR: I commiserate with the family of Senator Olusola Saraki, and the numerous beneficiaries of his political generousity. The Yoruba say that once dead, a person becomes an idol (a faultless person). Since his demise on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, Saraki has been variously eulogized for his political sagacity and philanthropy. I both agree and disagree, because every human being is both good and bad. Sometimes, human beings rob poor Peter to pay rich Paul; some other times, they do good and later regret.

    The praise-singer who caught my fancy more than any other person was General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), who said he learnt a lot about politics from the late Pa Saraki. I could not help asking myself whether the notes IBB took from Pa Saraki informed the political dribbling (deception) that earned him the appellation, “Maradona”.

    As Nigeria’s military “President”, IBB raised and dashed the hopes of many politicians with his numerous transition agenda, which he would start and truncate mid-way. Incalculable number of politicians died of frustration, and many others became impoverished from indebtedness and loss of jobs. Finally, IBB annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election, and was forced by national and international pressures to quit the seat of power by all means.

    For eight years, IBB ruled Nigeria, full of tension and financial crimes called”419″. He undid General Muhammadu Buhari’s War Against Indiscipline (WAI), and return the country to the Shehu Shagari’s corrupt era. His (IBB’s) own regime specifically marked the emergence of numerous fake banks which drained too many Nigerians of their hard-earned monies. Today, fake banks hardly exist, but the same imperialists are still holding the country to ransom. Hence drastic drop in electricity coupled with fuel scarcity deepen the nation’s mass misery. Unfortunately, we still have Nigerians who keep praising President Goodluck Jonathan. Farouk Lawan is back in the House of Representatives, as if bribery and corruption were virtues. Children of the rulers front for their fathers in the petroleum misappropriation business, etc.

    Ghana is better run today because of Jerry Rawlings’ revolutionary initiative. All misappropriators of public funds should be decapitated as in the French Revolution, and as obtains in China currently. The living and the dead imperialist-paternalists are responsible for Nigeria’s under-development and mass poverty.

    • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.