Channels/
Former dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday said the military provided Nigeria with the democracy being enjoyed today.
Fielding questions during an interview on Channels Television’s NewsNight, Babangida said contrary to claims that the military was responsible for the problems in the country, it rather provided the nation with development.
“No, we didn’t provide problems. We tried to provide the framework upon which subsequent governments who are going to come after us could build upon,” he said.
“Most of the infrastructural developments, even the democracy, we midwifed it. We started development, democracy, and a free-market economy.
“We were able to capture what the world is doing now and to try to bring it into our own country. The politicians, civilians are the best people in handling all of these things.”
Speaking further, he praised the masses for surviving what he described as the civil war in the country.
The former Head of State said Nigeria “is one of the few countries in the world to survive a civil war”.
Reacting to the Mali coup that ousted President Ibrahim Keita, he described the soldiers that participated in the exercise as stupid.
He commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for issuing an 18-month ultimatum for the country to return to democracy.
“Military intervention in some of these things is an aberration. I don’t think we should encourage the military at all.
“From 1989 till now, things have changed. The whole world has embraced democracy, economic reform, open market and so forth. There is no place for the military. It is best done by the politicians and the civilians,” he said.
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