IBB backs merger of political parties

By Wole Mosadomi
Minna – Former military  president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has said that the  intending merger of some  political parties to serve as a strong opposition to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) is a welcome development in our political system.

Answering questions from Journalists at his hill top mansion. Minna Niger state , the former President said as a strong advocate of two political parties for the country, the emerging scenario will surely vindicate him on his stand for  two political party system which he said is the only way out for the country politically.

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida

“ I have been a very good advocate of two party system for the country since I was the president. When I said we need only two parties some years back, they said I am a soldier and I should shut up but now, many are seeing relevance in my agitation,” Gen. Babangida remarked.

According to him, “I am happy with the merger talk that is going on; it is a welcome political development in our political experience and if it succeeds, it will surely vindicate me and move the country on politically.”

The former military president who took a swipe on our political leadership so far said most politicians in the country are much more concerned about the votes they garner from the electorates during elections but have failed to serve them more appropriately after wining the elections.

“ It is unfortunate that the political elites  have failed to enlighten the ordinary man and carry them along; nobody is talking about enlightening the ordinary man because they are only interested in their votes and soon forget them after getting to power,”  he noted.

He continued, “ the only thing we are busy doing is wasting our energy in fighting on who becomes the chairman of this or that and until we carry the people along and serve them diligently, we will have a long way to go in this country.”

On whether he is comfortable with the comments of former American president, Bill Clinton accusing the Federal government that it has mismanaged the country’s  resources, the former president said it is what the foreigners read from the home based journalist that they read,   rely and comment on.

“You don’t need a foreigner to tell you this. You write it yourself and they read it and so, what is the problem with the comment. I am comfortable with the comment,”  Gen. Babangida declared.