Former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB)
From NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna
Methodist Bishops in the country have joined the army of Nigerians that are against the candidature of former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), in the 2011 general election.
Speaking yesterday in Kaduna to newsmen at the end of their 28th council meeting, the prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, said the recent declaration by the former military leader to run for the presidency of the country amounted to insulting the generality of Nigerians.
He pointed out that IBB was indeed a disgrace to the country for annulling the freest and fairest election conducted in Nigeria in 1993, and wondered why IBB should come out to partake in a democratic process he did not believe in.
“The annulment of June 12, 1993 election led to death and misery for millions of Nigerians and it was during IBB’s tenure that the level of corruption was raised to the level which almost sank the country,” Makinde said.
His Eminence also recalled that in 1993 when Nigeria went to the polls to vote for the president, they never put into consideration the religious background of the president and his running mate.
He said since Islam and Christianity were all about justice, the country’s leaders could belong to any of these religions, but regretted that the person of IBB had no regard for justice since he did not value the election that produced Muslim/Muslim candidates of MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe at the June 12 general election.
According to Makinde, “IBB has a lot of things to explain to Nigerians on June 12 because we don’t want somebody that will come and annul election again. We have had enough of religious crisis in the country. We are talking about justice and righteousness, our stand has nothing to do with religious coloration.
“We all voted for Abiola, a Muslim, and Kingible, his running mate, also a Muslim, so justice must be done for June 12 election annulments. Our stand is that IBB should explain his role in June 12 because we don’t what a religious bigot as a leader in the next general election.”
Meanwhile, parts of a 12-paragrpah communiqué issued at the end of the council’s six-day meeting read, “Council calls on the Federal Government to make known to Nigerians the condition of health of Mr. President and stop hiding the truth from the citizens. She calls on the Acting President; Goodluck Jonathan, to consolidate the gains of his administration such as the de-listing of Nigeria from list of terrorist countries as well as the supervision of the Ministry of Power in the interest of the nation at large.
“On power generation and distribution, the Council enjoins the Federal Government to accelerate all action plans on power generation and distribution for effective power supply to enhance industrial development and provide opportunity for quick economic recovery.
“On security of lives and property in the country, the Council calls on the Federal Government and all security agencies to checkmate incessant killing, kidnapping and destruction of lives and property so that the country will be a safe place to live in.
“Council commends the Federal Government on the amnesty initiated programme put in place in the Niger Delta region and encourages the States to provide whatever assistance to ensure its full implementation.
“On the forthcoming elections, Council calls on the Federal Government to carry out electoral reforms and review the voters register to enable every eligible voter to exercise his/her voting rights and participate in the electoral process. Council also calls on the Federal Government to grant autonomy to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) so that future elections would be well conducted.”
Source: www.sunnewsonline.com
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