Nigeria Content Online

The former chairman
of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Information and National
Orientation, Dino Melaye, yesterday criticised former military
president, Ibrahim Babangida for ruling out the younger generation of
Nigerians from governing the country.

The former military
ruler, who has since confirmed his interest in the 2011 presidential
election, was reported as saying that the younger generation of
Nigerians cannot rule the country. Mr. Melaye countered that assertion
in a statement in Abuja, saying his generation is more versatile and
has the capacity to move the country forward.

“This negative
sweeping statement against my generation, a more intellectually
advanced generation, [a] more versatile generation, a generation
competing with the technological demands of recent times, a deprived
generation, deprived by gerontocratic rulers – I mean the Babangidas of
this world – is unfortunate,” Mr. Melaye said.

The lawmaker argued
that Mr. Babangida had insulted the generation to which his son,
Mohammed Babangida, President Barack Obama of the United States and
Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashola, all people who the former military
ruler admired as achievers, belong.

Mr. Melaye
described Mr. Babangida as a failed leader, and challenged him to
publicly disclose how old he was when he seized power in a military
coup.

“The question to
ask this failed leader is how old he was 25yrs ago when he forcefully
became the president of an oppressed nation?” Mr. Melaye said.

“A coward who
hurriedly packaged an interim government and vamoosed, why are you (an
anti-democratic element) now interested in assessing democratic powers
by creating generational apathy and age cleansing?” Mr. Melaye vowed
that his generation would campaign vigorously to stop Mr. Babangida
from realising his ambition of returning to power next year.

“It is a battle of
no retreat, no surrender because an army of retired and expired
military officers and politicians will bring back sad memories to
Nigerians.”

Catholic opposition

Meanwhile, the
Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaye, has called on
Nigerians to work against the ambition of the former military dictator.

Mr Ajakaye, who
spoke during the dedication of a church auditorium built in memory of
the late father of the Action Congress governorship candidate in Ekiti
State, Kayode Fayemi also urged Mr Babangida not to contest.

“It is not funny
that somebody who stepped aside is now seeking to come back. Nigerians
must say no to corruption and corrupt leaders,” he said. “It is time we
stop recycling our leaders. As individuals we have to kick against
corrupt leaders. We have to say no to those who promise and don’t keep
their promises. They have started coming now, they will come and even
prostrate for you now that they need your votes, but you must be wise.”
He also advised journalists to focus on reports that would expose the
nation’s leaders.

“I want to beg journalists to be more dedicated to duty by dwelling
on investigative journalism in order to make sure that past and present
leaders are made accountable for all their actions and inactions,” he
said. “Nigeria need fresh bloods in its politics. I mean people who are
highly competent, upright and honest to paddle the affairs of the
country its affairs. The electorate must also stand up to make sure
that their votes count during election.”