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Half a dozen
members of the House of Representatives, who are staging an event to be
chaired by former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, have denied
fronting for the retired general’s 2011 presidential ambition.

The Initiative, a
relatively long-standing representatives’ group, which has existed
aloof of contentious national issues, stirred controversy Wednesday
after announcing its plan for inauguration, that will be chaired by Mr.
Babangida in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

Responding to
journalists queries on why Mr. Babangida was chosen to lead the May 27,
2010 event, Eseme Eyibo, the group’s leader, said the former ruler was
named after three other shortlisted names were unavailable for that
date.

According to Mr.
Eyibo, who faced reporters with five other members of the group, former
military rulers, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the former
Chief of Defence Staff, Awoye Azazi turned down invitations because of
other engagements.

He explained that
Mr. Babangida received the group’s invitation, and assured of his
attendance, months before making public his plans to contest the
presidential elections next year.

“We served the
invitation, and got assurances of his presence during the mourning days
of his late wife, Maryam Babangida six months ago,” he said.

As a group of
lawmakers, The Initiatives, regularly conducts sessions that brings
together commentators within and outside the legislature.

It has recently
completed an incorporation process-the first of such in the National
Assembly- with board members including, retired Chief Justice of the
Federation, Mohammed Uwais, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim,
FCT minister, Sanusi Daggash and former Attorney General of the
Federation, Kanu Agabi.

Its inauguration is
to hold in Akwa Ibom and will have in attendance, Mr. Babangida, human
activist, Femi Falana, Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad and the host
governor, Godswill Akpabio.

Right to contest

Asked if the
planned inauguration, at a time Mr. Babangida is facing severe
opposition to his ambitions, would not viewed as a platform intended to
prop up support for him, Mr. Eyiboh said the group supports no personal
ambition, but aims at helping to evolve good governance. However, he
said as a Nigerian, Mr. Babangida has the right to contest.

“Ibrahim Babangida
has the right to contest any election in this country that is his
private ambition, but The Initiative will not and is not a platform for
political parties, platform for any personal ambition different from
what would serve the interest of Nigeria,” he said.

He said the spread of the invitees indicates that the group has no such intention.

On the possibility
of a repeat of what occurred in Benin, Edo state, “One Man, One Vote”
campaign where the former ruler was openly told he was not qualified to
be in attendance, Mr. Eyiboh said “Falana will be present and Falana is
aware that General Babangida will be in attendance.

“We invited IBB and also invited Falana,” he said. “Babangida knows
Falana will be there, and Falana knows Babangida will be there. We did
not hide anything from anyone.”