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PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the on-going National Political Reform Conference may decide the political future of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.
LONDON - PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the on-going National Political Reform Conference may decide the political future of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida. President Obasanjo spoke yesterday when he was confronted with questions concerning the political future and the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida during his current visit to Britain.
At an interactive session with members of African All Party Parliamentary Group at the House of Commons, London, British lawmakers wanted to know 'if Babangida is still alive and whether he plans to succeed Obasanjo in 2007."
They also wanted to know what measures Obasanjo had taken concerning allegations of financial impropriety and wrongdoings made against Babangida's administration.
Responding, Obasanjo told the lawmakers that Babangida 'is very much alive and kicking," but had not publicly declared his intention to succeed him when he leaves office in 2007. He said although there were 'speculations and rumours on allegations of wrongdoings in coffee shops and market places, not one of those allegations has been substantiated."
Obasanjo explained that four years ago, he had established a commission of inquiry into all alleged wrongdoings of the past 'with a view to finding out the truth and attracting apologies" from offenders to their victims, but that Babangida declined to appear. I appeared before the commission twice. Babangida was invited but he did not go there," the president added.
He said when the report of the commission was submitted, Babangida went to court and stopped government from publishing it, 'and we had to obey the court orders."
Obasanjo said he believed that anyone whose reputation was tarnished or whose interest was threatened, 'must do everything to protect or clean it."
He said, however, that the report of the Oputa Commission was one of the documents sent to the on-going confab for its consideration. 'No allegation has been proved or formally presented to either the EFCC or the ICPC, on the former ruler," Obasanjo said.
The president also answered questions on which sectors of the economy he hopes to deploy the proceeds of debt relief, stressing that the money which ranges between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion annually, would go into the budget. He said the money would be used to improve healthcare, education and infrastructure.
While thanking the Paris Club for the relief granted Nigeria, the president also requested 100 per cent debt relief for the country so that it could provide more of the devidends of democracy to Nigerians.