Nigeria’s former military leader, General Ibrahim Babangida has on Friday declared his support for resource control and a free-market economy.
According to him, people believe that they, and their children should be allowed to benefit from resources that are derived from their area, and “you should give people control over the resources found in their areas.”
Speaking in an Arise TV interview monitored in Lagos, Babangida said, “I believe in a free-market economy. Nigerians are very resilient, fertile minded and industrious. So, if you have to rule them you have to think of how to bring all these together and harness them.”
The former military ruler calls for policy consistency. He said leaders must follow through on policies and stop being swayed by what people think about change of good policies.
On the troubled economy, Babangida believes that for the fact that Nigerian economy has not collapsed, the leadership is trying but, needs to do more.
On issues of security and corruption, the former military leader/ elder statesman said: “The problem with Nigeria’s security situation is leadership. There is a disconnect between the leaders and followers.
” The military has the wherewithal to fight banditry but they are overstretched. Also, they must believe in what they are fighting for.”
Comparing his administration to the democratic dispensation. Babangida said, “You can’t compare it with facts on ground. We are still saints, when you compare us with what is happening under democracy.”
He recalled how he sacked a governor for misappropriation of N313,000 but today, those who stole billions of money are going to court and walking around the streets and being celebrated.
” So, which dispensation fought corruption better? You can’t intimidate Nigerians,” he emphasized.
