Nigeria today is plagued by ethnic chauvinists, autocrats, mediocres, and incompetent and visionless political actors, former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida said on Tuesday.
Babangida’s reaction came while playing host to visiting Senator Iyorchia Ayu, National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who paid him a courtesy call at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger State.
Ayu came along with the members of the National Working Committee of the Party to visit the former military president, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993.
General Babangida said: “If we have failed to adequately manage the complexities of the competitive party and electoral politics since independence, we now have a golden opportunity at our present crossroads to turn in the direction of pursuing politics as a public interest project, in line with moral and statutory provisions of article 13 and article 14 of the constitution of Nigeria.”
General Babangida quoted copiously from sections of the constitution that deal with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.
It says Nigeria should be run on the principles of democracy and social justice.
Subsection B says the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
Another provision of the section demands that positions in government should be shared to reflect the diversity of the country and ensure no predominance of any section.
Sen. Ayu said, he came with members of the NWC and leaders of the party to seek President Babangida blessings and to tap from his extensive experience and wisdom as the founding father of the PDP.
He added that this is particularly required at this time that there is so much insecurity and division in the country.
Ayu urged Babangida not to relent in ensuring that the unity of the country which he fought so hard for, is sustained.
Two weeks ago, Ayu also led the PDP juggernauts to visit former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta.