It’s silly to say military created Nigeria’s problems — IBB

Former Military President of Nigeria, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), has said it is silly to say the military created the country’s problems.

He said since civilians were those running the institutions of government, the military could not be singled as responsible for any maladministration and poor distribution of wealth witnessed in the country over the years.

IBB, who was at the helm of affairs of the country from 1986 to 1993, said the ministries, parastatals and institutions were run by civilians, so if there were any issues, it would be wrong to say the military created them.

Babangida gave the assertion in an interview with Channels TV on Friday.

He said, “You were there to show us how the civil service operates, how the system works; the institutions of governance.

“We didn’t create problems. We created the framework for subsequent administration to build on: infrastructure, democracy and free market economy. We were able to capture and bring to our country what the world is doing.”

IBB, however, noted that only a stupid soldier would seize power today, as it recently happened in Mali. He said the world had become smaller and embraced democracy.

“I said stupid because the moment you take over ECOWAS, AU, EU, UN, the super powers will come after you with sanctions.”

Babangida said such detractions would not allow a military government to function.

He also spoke on why he had not released his memoirs that would show an account of what transpired in his regime, he said it was to ensure a thorough job and avoid any form of litigation concerning the contents.

“I am scared of somebody suing me to court that I libelled somebody or that I misrepresented somebody and I will spend five years going to court,” Babangida said.