Former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) has described Nigeria as a country difficult to administer. He said Nigeria is a complex and difficult country because of its diversities and peculiarities.
According to him, the diversities always give room for contrasting opinions and debates along geopolitical lines which sometimes lead to tension and bad blood. Yet, he described Nigeria as vibrant and interesting.
Babangida, who is popularly known as IBB, spoke on Tuesday when the House of Representatives Minority Caucus led by the Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu visited him at his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State.
He urged political leaders not to be intimidated by the complexities of the country, but focus on harmonising the peculiarities into an advantage.
He said the country’s founding father’s fought relentlessly to build a strong and virile entity despite the inherent challenges.
The ex-military ruler said the National Assembly members must not allow the struggle of the founding fathers to be in vain; they must build on the bond of unity upon which the country was found.
“I am passionate in observing what is going on in the country. I develop lots of interest in the on-goings across the country and I think the leadership of the House of Representatives, the Speaker, the opposition leadership and everyone, I think you are all doing well. You represent the people and it is what the people wish that you take up. I want to commend you for doing your job honourably and urge you not to give up,” he said.
Babangida said having scaled the initial hurdles that led to the emergence of the principal officers, members must settle down, members must settle down to the business of making laws that would have direct bearing on the people.
He urged them to put aside their political differences and work with their colleagues and the executive arm of government in addressing the problem of insecurity bedevilling the country.
Earlier, the Minority Leader said they were in Minna to introduce themselves as the leadership of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives and thank the former military leader for the role he played in their emergence.
Elumelu, who prayed to God to grant Babangida good health, pledged the readiness of members to provide good governance to Nigerians.
