FORMER Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has explained the significance of the ethnic card he reportedly played recently with a strategic meeting with some Igbo leaders.

He had declared at the widely advertised parley that he would run for only one term, if elected, and leave the presidency for the Southeast zone in 2015.

Babangida, who on Sunday, August 15, declared his intention to contest the 2011 presidential election against President Goodluck Jonathan, spoke exclusively to The Guardian editors in his Hilltop expansive home in Minna, last Wednesday.

According to him, he organised the forum with the Igbo leaders because he was fully persuaded that the pang of the Civil War the Igbo nation had with the Federal Government over 40 years ago would not be healed “unless a President of Igbo extraction is elected in Nigeria.”

He also said that “only Abiola and his family” deserve an apology over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the head of the family, Chief MKO Abiola.

Babangida, as head of the military government in power in 1993, annulled the election that was adjudged the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history till date.

Many Nigerians are up in arms against Babangida’s bid for the presidency, ostensibly on the strength of the voided June 12, which revalidation led to the death of many Nigerians including Chief Abiola and his wife, Kudirat.

On his intentions for playing such an ethnic card with Igbo leaders in a nation struggling to enhance its national outlook, Babangida said:

“I hope you know that everybody (presidential aspirants) is following me now? There are two or three now who say that they would run for one term, including even some PDP aspirants. So, at least I am happy.

“I am the originator of the four-year- one-term slogan. The fact of the Nigerian situation is that there is no way — you better believe it — there is no way you will run this country without jaw-jawing with other parts of the country. That is the fact of the Nigerian political life.

“I became interested in the Southeast for only one reason: an imminent Igbo presidency. That puts end to the Nigerian Civil War. It is finished.”

He continued: “You know why we went to the Civil War. I want Nigeria to go as one country that fought a civil war in less than 50 years, the people that fought and settled so much that even one of the contestants is a president of this country.

“You can never have anything that would demonstrate that the Civil War is closed if you don’t have an Igbo man as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

In the same vein, General Babangida said in an emotion-laden moment that despite the cacophony of voices on the 17-year-old June 12 saga, he believes that, indeed, the Abiola family deserves an apology for the dark episode he has (Babangida) taken responsibility for.

On what he would say to voters on the Okigbo Panel report, the death of Dele Giwa, Abiola and June 12, Babangida said:

“The good thing is that 90 percent of the population has no clue about what you and I are talking about Okigbo, about Dele Giwa. 90 per cent of Nigerians haven’t heard these things at all. They don’t know what they are about.

“It is just about okay. They said I killed Dele Giwa. For June 12, I accept collective responsibility for that. I wasn’t on seat when Abiola died but if there is anybody who deserved a personal apology, it was Abiola and members of his family.”

Babangida, who fielded questions for two hours despite the fasting period in the early hours of Wednesday, last week, also clarified his position on the reported reliance on Southwest for supports for his presidential bid.

He disclosed that he only said because of the sophistication of the Southwest political leaders and elite, it would be easy for them to appreciate all the complications that opponents may want to use against him in these times.

His words: “I saw the report that, ‘IBB Relies on South West.’ Everybody, who wants to win election, would rely on the Southwest, would rely South-South, Southeast, North Central (where I am); would rely on Northwest and so on. This is the beauty of this game.

“What I said, we were talking about June 12, the Southwest, as far as politics is concerned, are more sophisticated than us. The reasons are not far-fetched. They were earlier in contact with civilisation, So, I will give them that in terms of sophistication.

“And because they are sophisticated politically, they will not get bogged down by mundane arguments about June 12. Their level of education, their level of politics transcends June 12.

“They know in politics, nothing is permanent; they know in politics, somebody matches you round, somebody matches back. It must be accepted. It must be corrected and the country moves on. I think they have the (political) sophistication. This was what I was trying to say.”

the guy is REALLY shooting for the igbo vote, HARD.

i think he's canceled all hopes with yorubas cause of abiola and being the biggest scum bag in the country of nigeria.

True said.

Nothing will heal the wounds of the Civil War than an Igbo presidency in 2015. The igbos should not fall into a slumber on this one.

I've said it before on this forum, GJ administration should be seen as completing a northern tenure.

Nigeria must not create a record of being a habitual renegade of agreements, if she wants the wounds of the Civil War to heal.

Ikengawo:

the guy is REALLY shooting for the igbo vote, HARD.

i think he's canceled all hopes with yorubas cause of abiola and being the biggest scum bag in the country of nigeria.

IBB antecedents has put him in a precarious situation. However, i admire him for realizing the potentials of the vote of the largest single ethnic group and second to all indigenous groups in the country.

I don't like this patronising campaign tactics.

He should tell the Igbos how his policies will support small businesses to grow and how he plans to to institute business friendly policies and ensure that ordinary traders are recognised as important members of the society.

He should also carry on with his message on how he plans to deliver on true fedralism, devolution of powers, state policing etc.

Telling the Igbos that they will produce the President in 2015 does not mean much because ideally he IBB has one vote to that effect.
Let him campaign on his policies vigorously, he has a chance in the SouthEast and thats the truth.

This old fool is fastly running out of  options .

Imagine the reason for trying to scam the Igbos into his ambition knowing fully the Igbos are still very sentimental anytime the issue of the civil war is raised. Now he is simply palying on that sentiment. Old foool!.

He ran away from the Yorubas after he was giving an impossible condition and am sure the Igbos too can come up with such condition if not they will keep playing the politics of strategy wrongly.

IBB only continuous influence is mainly his deep pocket which is fastly depleting.

ilugunboy:

This old fool is fastly running out of  options .

Imagine the reason for trying to scam the Igbos into his ambition knowing fully the Igbos are still very sentimental anytime the issue of the civil war is raised. Now he is simply palying on that sentiment. Old foool!.

He ran away from the Yorubas after he was giving an impossible condition and am sure the Igbos too can come up with such condition if not they will keep playing the politics of strategy wrongly.

IBB only continuous influence is mainly his deep pocket which is fastly depleting.

Youve got to understand the average nigerians are not thinking the way we are on nairaland. they dont really base choices off of strategy or interest but off of sentiment. One most Igbos are christian and HATE with a passion to hear the word muslim. Jonathan can easily get there votes because of that reason,him being a christian and IBB being a muslim. However, who you should focus on the most is the decision Ohanaeze makes about who to support. Because they have offices all around the country. Anyways if they choose IBB, then they will speak out loud in the public and have gatherings in public and say why Igbos showed support IBB or not and when they do that it is over for the opposition,whoever they may be.

though i dont think tribe as playing a big factor in this election (not as much as name that is)
i still think religion, especially when it comes to igbos, is fundamental.


my dad does politics in nigeria. he told me if you want to secure the vote of the commoner you have to secure the support of the church.
it will be impossible for the church to support a muslim over a christian, unless ibb is ready to take this bribe shit to the next level.

Among the past former military rulers, many Igbo would say that IBB did more for Igbo interest than Gowon, Buhari, and co. Yet it's absurd to say that any Nigerian presidential aspirant that "happens" to bear an Igbo name should wait until 2015. Why? And really, would an Igbo presidency really solve the ethnic divide of the nation? What do you guys say?

mens dept:

Among the past former military rulers, many Igbo would say that IBB did more for Igbo interest than Gowon, Buhari, and co. Yet it's absurd to say that any Nigerian presidential aspirant that "happens" to bear an Igbo name should wait until 2015. Why? And really, would an Igbo presidency really solve the ethnic divide of the nation? What do you guys say?

Until we have what Rawlings did in ghana happen in nigeria or slit, there will always be great prejudice in nigeria. The only reason i would go with the 2015 notion about igbo waiting until 2015 for presidency instead of just coming out unprepared is that it gives us time to clean up our house and bring out the right contestant that we all agree on. But i do think that ethnic bigots and tribalist have destroyed nigeria.Because a person is Igbo you dont give him high positions in the FG or you work against his presidency even tho he has the best of skills is just stupid.That is why nigeria is where its at today.

Hope the Igbo's won't fall for his tricks.He is a snake.

This carrot dangling in the faces of the Igbos is really poisonous a one.

chyz:

Youve got to understand the average nigerians are not thinking the way we are on nairaland. they dont really base choices off of strategy or interest but off of sentiment. [size=1pt]One most Igbos are christian and HATE with a passion to hear the word muslim. Jonathan can easily get there votes because of that reason,him being a christian and IBB being a muslim. [/size] However, who you should focus on the most is the decision Ohanaeze makes about who to support. Because they have offices all around the country. Anyways if they choose IBB, then they will speak out loud in the public and have gatherings in public and say why Igbos showed support IBB or not and when they do that it is over for the opposition,whoever they may be.

Thats the TRUTH- Now please relay that message to your brothers, If MAJORITY of igbo wont vote for a muslim, WHAT MAKES THEM THINK IN 2015 THE MUSLIM north ( 17/36 states) will vote for an christian?

Thats the truth. IBB probably does want an igbo president, so do I and Many people- but its not yorubas(like Obj) or middlebelts(like IBB) that are against an christian (igbo) president its the 17 islamic states - that wont vote for one.

So igbo should know IBB is a MINORITY and cannot get 17/36 North islamic states to vote for a christian igbo in 2015. Northerners dont vote for christians if a muslim is running in opposition.

sjeezy8:

Thats the TRUTH- Now please relay that message to your brothers, If MAJORITY of igbo wont vote for a muslim, WHAT MAKES THEM THINK IN 2015 THE MUSLIM north ( 17/36 states) will vote for an christian?

Thats the truth. IBB probably does want an igbo president, so do I and Many people- but its not yorubas(like Obj) or middlebelts(like IBB) that are against an christian (igbo) president its the 17 islamic states - that wont vote for one.

So igbo should know IBB is a MINORITY and cannot get 17/36 North islamic states to vote for a christian igbo in 2015. Northerners dont vote for christians if a muslim is running in opposition.

Try and enjoy nigeria as much as you possibly can now because there is no way another war,although not like the one in '67, is not going to happen come 2015 ot maybe even soon than that depending on decisions made by whoever the president may be. If GJ stays president until 2015 then the northerners say its theres the igbos wont allow it and the country will be dismantled. If IBB wins theres room to work things out.

Miggle-belt are not mainly muslim,it is split and due to that fact even the muslims in the middle belt are more accepting of a christian because their families are a mixture of both. Also you must understand this, it is a fact that although those sharia states dont really accept christian candidates, The majority of those states are just land and dont have a high populace as in the south so there vote is not a matter.also millions of Igbos live in the north, no less then a million in each of those states so you cannot count there votes as northern votes and youd have to take them out of the northern population equation.

Another thing is back in 2003, when Ojukwu ran for presidency he had the 2nd highest votes in the country. This is a guy who we know no northerner voted for SW not really but the Igbos did. remember also OGJ rigged that election so imagine if that didnt happen who would have been your president. Igbo votes count alot, IBB knows that he doesnt really need the yoruba to will in a free and fair election.He knows we out number yall in nigeria even core northerns, if he gets our vote he knows he wins.

chyz:

Try and enjoy nigeria as much as you possibly can now because there is no way another war,although not like the one in '67, is not going to happen come 2015 ot maybe even soon than that depending on decisions made by whoever the president may be. If GJ stays president until 2015 then the northerners say its theres the igbos wont allow it and the country will be dismantled. If IBB wins theres room to work things out.

Miggle-belt are not mainly muslim,it is split and due to that fact even the muslims in the middle belt are more accepting of a christian because their families are a mixture of both. Also you must understand this, it is a fact that although those sharia states dont really accept christian candidates, The majority of those states are just land and dont have a high populace as in the south so there vote is not a matter.also millions of Igbos live in the north, no less then a million in each of those states so you cannot count there votes as northern votes and youd have to take them out of the northern population equation.

Another thing is back in 2003, when Ojukwu ran for presidency he had the 2nd highest votes in the country. This is a guy who we know no northerner voted for SW not really but the Igbos did. remember also OGJ rigged that election so imagine if that didnt happen who would have been your president. Igbo votes count alot, IBB knows that he doesnt really need the yoruba to will in a free and fair election.He knows we out number yall in nigeria even core northerns, if he gets our vote he knows he wins.

lol are you serious or are you joking

Candidates Parties Votes %
Matthew Olusegun Fajinmi Aremu Obasanjo People's Democratic Party 61.9
Muhammadu Buhari All Nigeria People's Party 32.2
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu All Progressives Grand Alliance 3.3
Total (turnout 69.1 %) 100.0
Source: Independent National Electoral Commission

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

chyz:

Try and enjoy nigeria as much as you possibly can now because there is no way another war,although not like the one in '67, is not going to happen come 2015 ot maybe even soon than that depending on decisions made by whoever the president may be. If GJ stays president until 2015 then the northerners say its theres the igbos wont allow it and the country will be dismantled. If IBB wins theres room to work things out.

Lol, Chyz, come on now, even u dont believe this paragraph u put up there! lol. Ibos will insist on being President in '15 and if the North says "No" the Ibos will "dismantle" the country?!!? lol. U thot 1967 was horrible. . . .  Dude, the fact remains until the Ibos stop seeing themselves as objects of destruction/going outta their way to "destroy" the Yorubas to the detriment of development. . . . if the Ibos never deem it fit to stand on whats right instead of thinking "Hmmmn, what ways can we destroy the Yorubas this election year?", then they can keep dreaming about the Presidency and just watch as the other nationalities split power amongst themselves till eternity.

sjeezy8:

lol are you serious or are you joking

Candidates Parties Votes %
Matthew Olusegun Fajinmi Aremu Obasanjo People's Democratic Party  61.9
Muhammadu Buhari All Nigeria People's Party  32.2
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu All Progressives Grand Alliance  3.3
Total (turnout 69.1 %)  100.0
Source: Independent National Electoral Commission

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hhahahahahaaahahaha.lol. roflmao! lol. 3.3% now beats 32.2% to come in second?!!? lol. Chyz, man, your stock keeps going down in my eyes everyday. . . . . .

IBB no go succeed at all for this election. Nigerians simply dont trust him and he doesn't have the political leverage with which he can bribe Jega's INEC.

bk.babe97y:

Lol, Chyz, come on now, even u dont believe this paragraph u put up there! lol. Ibos will insist on being President in '15 and if the North says "No" the Ibos will "dismantle" the country?!!? lol. U thot 1967 was horrible. . . .  Dude, the fact remains until the Ibos stop seeing themselves as objects of destruction/going outta their way to "destroy" the Yorubas to the detriment of development. . . . if the Ibos never deem it fit to stand on whats right instead of thinking "Hmmmn, what ways can we destroy the Yorubas this election year?", then they can keep dreaming about the Presidency and just watch as the other nationalities split power amongst themselves till eternity.

The Igbos dont care about what the yorubas do as long as it doesnt concern them. Thats just how it is. Even nairaland is an example of it.Igbos will not comment on a topic that concerns yoruba issue, why because we dont care,that is their business. However, the yorubas will come and always want to be apart of igbo issues and comment.Thats just a fact. Whether horrible or not if war has to come it will come there is no two ways about it. If the North says "No" remember that the Igbo has no king.

Now lets cut the bull here,since you think Igbos should vote for GJ,which is obvious cuz we all know they are the contenders,why do you feel that way and how do you think its going to help the Igbo come 2011, 2015 and so forth?

sjeezy8:

lol are you serious or are you joking

Candidates Parties Votes %
Matthew Olusegun Fajinmi Aremu Obasanjo People's Democratic Party 61.9
Muhammadu Buhari All Nigeria People's Party 32.2
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu All Progressives Grand Alliance 3.3
Total (turnout 69.1 %) 100.0
Source: Independent National Electoral Commission

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, I say OBJ rigs the election and this guy puts up results that shows it. lol

bk.babe97y:


Hhahahahahaaahahaha.lol. roflmao! lol. 3.3% now beats 32.2% to come in second?!!? lol. Chyz, man, your stock keeps going down in my eyes everyday. . . . . .

lol

chyz:

The Igbos dont care about what the yorubas do as long as it doesnt concern them. Thats just how it is. Even nairaland is an example of it.Igbos will not comment on a topic that concerns yoruba issue, why because we dont care,that is their business. However, the yorubas will come and always want to be apart of igbo issues and comment.Thats just a fact. Whether horrible or not if war has to come it will come there is no two ways about it. If the North says "No" remember that the Igbo has no king.

Now lets cut the bull here,since you think Igbos should vote for GJ,which is obvious cuz we all know they are the contenders,why do you feel that way and how do you think its going to help the Igbo come 2011, 2015 and so forth?

because if igbos vote for Goodluck Jonathan like the majority of SW is - they(SW and non ibo SS) will support an igbo as president in the future or atleast the igbo should know that just being a christian makes it almsot NO CHANCE AT winning voted in the 15-16 sharia states.

igbo not gon win presidency without the SS and SW cause the Core (sharia) North is not goin vote for him- Lets say the truth.

chyz:


Wow, I say OBJ rigs the election and this guy puts up results that shows it. lol

OBJ DOES RIG ELECTION IN THE SOUTH- I KNOW THATS MY POINT but I can assure you hes not going rig election for an igbo, if igbo vote for IBB and not Jonathan.

chyz:

The Igbos dont care about what the yorubas do as long as it doesnt concern them. Thats just how it is. Even nairaland is an example of it.Igbos will not comment on a topic that concerns yoruba issue, why because we dont care,that is their business. However, the yorubas will come and always want to be apart of igbo issues and comment.Thats just a fact. Whether horrible or not if war has to come it will come there is no two ways about it. If the North says "No" remember that the[b] Igbo has no king.[/b]

Now lets cut the bull here,since you think Igbos should vote for GJ,which is obvious cuz we all know they are the contenders,why do you feel that way and how do you think its going to help the Igbo come 2011, 2015 and so forth?

Same ol shiiit, just a different day; here we go again!!!!!!

sjeezy[size=32pt]
Thats the truth. IBB probably does want an igbo president, so do I and Many people[/size]

hmmmm

The reason IBB is called Maradona is because he knows how to promise, only to break the promise with a weakening smile. Its called "killing softly", its a game that catches suckers.

chyz:

The Igbos dont care about what the yorubas do as long as it doesnt concern them. Thats just how it is. Even nairaland is an example of it.Igbos will not comment on a topic that concerns yoruba issue, why because we dont care,that is their business. However, the yorubas will come and always want to be apart of igbo issues and comment.Thats just a fact. Whether horrible or not if war has to come it will come there is no two ways about it. If the North says "No" remember that the Igbo has no king.

Now lets cut the bull here,since you think Igbos should vote for GJ,which is obvious cuz we all know they are the contenders,why do you feel that way and how do you think its going to help the Igbo come 2011, 2015 and so forth?

LOL thats nonsense because we are not talking about ndigbo  only,we are talking about the PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA. Everyone has the right to mind this type of business.

its not only yorubas its also Ijaws who are against IBB, - Isokos,Edos itsekiris, US, UK even HAUSAS-FULANIS dont want IBB to be president( they want a younger hausa-fulani) , everyone is against an IBB presidency- except you guys THAT SHOULD SAY ALOT lol

Igbos have the population and block vote to be Chief King makers or better win in free and fair election. I don't trust IBB at all. The old hag should go and rest. I believe once gets there if he does there is no way he will let go after 2015 and then that's when we'll know whether Naija can withstand the next major crises. What makes him think he is the one that decides if and when a President of Igbo extraction emerges. Anyways lol.

sjeezy8:

lol


because if igbos vote for Goodluck Jonathan like the majority of SW is - they(SW and non ibo SS) will support an igbo as president in the future or atleast the igbo should know that just being a christian makes it almsot NO CHANCE AT winning voted in the 15-16 sharia states.

igbo not gon win presidency without the SS and SW cause the Core (sharia) North is not goin vote for him- Lets say the truth.

OBJ DOES RIG ELECTION IN THE SOUTH- I KNOW THATS MY POINT but I can assure you hes not going rig election for an igbo, if igbo vote for IBB and not Jonathan.

Like i said before, whoever offers the best option for the Igbos thats who we vote for. GJ is not ruled out but as far as now he's shown nothing but shadiness to the south east. The election is really between OBJ and IBB. Also, one thing, the SS does not only consist of the Ijaw,which is GJ's people so you cant equate the SS with him. The SS consists of Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio,Ogoni, Urhobo, itsekiri, etc. Itsekiri and urhobo see Ijaws as enemies and have an agenda of expansionism on their land, other deltan do too.u can read about it. Every group is out for its own interest so dont think for a second that they all are for this guy GJ,no they are for who benefits their tribes.And as of now the Niger-deltans are complaining that GJ is not doing anything for them at all. You cant credit him with the amnesty program because that was the works of Yaradua.

All in all, Igbos arent voting for IBB or GJ at this moment, you will know who Igbos are voting for by the end of the Igbo summit put together by Ohanaeze.

chyz:

Like i said before, whoever offers the best option for the Igbos thats who we vote for. GJ is not ruled out but as far as now he's shown nothing but shadiness to the south east. The election is really between OBJ and IBB. Also, one thing, the SS does not only consist of the Ijaw,which is GJ's people so you cant equate the SS with him. The SS consists of Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio,Ogoni, Urhobo, itsekiri, etc. Itsekiri and urhobo see Ijaws as enemies and have an agenda of expansionism on their land, other deltan do too.u can read about it. Every group is out for its own interest so dont think for a second that they all are for this guy GJ,no they are for who benefits their tribes.And as of now the Niger-deltans are complaining that GJ is not doing anything for them at all. You cant credit him with the amnesty program because that was the works of Yaradua.

All in all, Igbos arent voting for IBB or GJ at this moment, you will know who Igbos are voting for by the end of the Igbo summit put together by Ohanaeze.

The bolded is a load of rubbish. South South is exactly what it is, whether you like it or not. GJ belongs not only to Ijo, but to Urhobo, Itsekiri etc. Go and polish up your politics. GJ represents the whole Niger Delta, no more no less.

sjeezy8:

everyone is against an IBB presidency- except you guys THAT SHOULD SAY ALOT lol

So what you are saying to me is that I, who grew up loathing Babangida with every fiber of my being, will now turn around and vote for Babangida solely because I am Igbo?

Beaf:

The bolded is a load of rubbish. South South is exactly what it is, whether you like it or not. GJ belongs not only to Ijo, but to Urhobo, Itsekiri etc. Go and polish up your politics. GJ represents the whole Niger Delta, no more no less.

Its funny how you think your urge sums up what ever Niger Deltan wants. I am Niger Deltan and I say GJ is not representing me so your write up is wrong so whether you like it or not go sit down.

And as far as him representing the Niger Delta, just because he's "representing" the niger delta doesnt mean hes representing niger delta in a good way genius. Did Abacha represent the North in a good way? No. Did Obasanjo represent the West in a good way? No. Did Orji Kalu represent the East in a good way? No.

Go Sit Down

This rubbish 1960s political tact is still being used in the 21st century? Vote me because I would make sure an Igbo man becomes president. How does he intend to do that?

Doesn't the electorate have a say in who becomes their leader? Is ANY Igbo man as president going to make our lives better? What about the four years preceding that? Are we still going to have power cuts and human right abuses?

These are questions that should be in the minds of educated people using this forum and NOT whether an Igbo or Ijaw man goes by the name President!

ow11:

This rubbish 1960s political tact is still being used in the 21st century? Vote me because I would make sure an Igbo man becomes president. How does he intend to do that?

Doesn't the electorate have a say in who becomes their leader? Is ANY Igbo man as president going to make our lives better? What about the four years preceding that? Are we still going to have power cuts and human right abuses?

These are questions that should be in the minds of educated people using this forum and NOT whether an Igbo or Ijaw man goes by the name President!

Thank you.