Babangida faults quota system in public appointments
Former military
ruler Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, yesterday echoed his newfound
distaste for Nigeria’s federal character system, arguing that the
arrangement has impeded the nation’s progress since independence.
Speaking at a
conference organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic
Studies (NIPSS) in Abuja, Mr. Babangida said Nigeria’s growth and
democracy is being challenged because the nation still accords greater
emphasis to the religion and tribe of its citizens in deciding who
occupies public positions.
“For now, there is still too much emphasis on religion and ethnic origin and little respect for merit and competence,” he said.
Presidential strategy
The remarks, along
with recent appearances at public functions, are believed to be part of
the former military dictator’s strategy for his declared presidential
ambition in 2011.
At past events, Mr.
Babangida openly condemned many of the structural government
preferences, which he helped cement not only while serving in different
military administrations, but during his eight-year term as the head of
state.
He recommended the
creation of state police and gave fresh support for fiscal federalism,
which will allow individual states of the federation to generate funds
based on their natural resources and then remit taxes to the federal
government.
Mr. Babangida also attacked the federal character saying it has given rise to mediocrity.
Trumpeting democracy
At the Conference
on Political Stability and Democratic Imperatives in a Dynamic
International Environment organised by the National Institute of Policy
and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Mr. Babangida restated his position,
saying Nigeria’s stability will depend on democracy.
“Our country needs
clear-headed, public-spirited leaders at every level to propel this
country to [a] higher stage of development than is presently the case.
If we have the right calibre of people at the helms of affairs, then it
will be much easier to practice democracy in truth and indeed,” he
explained.
Mr. Babangida blamed the recurring religious and ethnic crises on poverty.
“It is idle hands that are the devil’s instrument,” he said. “If
people are fully engaged they would hardly have time seeing others as
enemies. Religion should be a personal affair. Each person would answer
for his deeds before the almighty.”
Welldone IBB. But Nigerians, do not be fooled by Hypocrites. How can the person who cancelled the best election Nigeria ever had now become an advocate of true democracy? Let me be candid, PEOPLE DO NOT CHANGE. If IBB damaged our country economically and corruption-wise, then he will not do otherwise. If he engineered and supported quota system as a dictator, do you think that if you give him your votes he will act otherwise? He is only warming up in vain.
No doubt the North will readily accept IBB but he knows the south and some parts of the middle belt will not. Being crafty, he is appealing to those things that the people of the south desire so much in order to get their votes. He is aware that those from the southern part of the country clamour for the eradication of quota system among others of his “Good News”, hence he is trying to use our heads. Well, let us not be fooled; his gospel is worthy of praise but he is certainly not the right person to bring the salvation.
Nigerians, IBB is blaming the recurrent crises in the country on poverty. This is a one-sided truth. Jos is not the poorest state in the country, yet, the crises there are on the increase. It may interest you to know that many people in Plateau state see IBB as the efficient cause of the Jos incessant crises. Some even say he was in town a day or two before the January 17th 2010 crisis. Many write-ups in circulation from the Jihadists support the view that he is their chief sponsor. Woo to evil doers! About poverty, our leaders should do well to reduce it to the bearest minimum by educating the people and creating jobs. However, the crisis in the north can only stop when the Hausa-Fulani people stop seeing themselves as Born-to-Rule. Our nation has passed that stage of Usman dan Fodio. If leadership position does not reach you, do not kill somebody to get it. Just go about your business and family welfare.
Finally, for those from the south who are in love with money, be warned, do not sell our votes to IBB. Our future is at stake here and it is certainly not IBB that will steer its affairs. God bless Naija