August 06, (THEWILL) – Former Nigerian military President and Head of State, Ibrahim Babaginda, says corruption under present democratic dispensation is worse compared to when he was in government.
Babangida spoke in an exclusive interview granted to ARISE TV on Friday.
Babangida, who served as Head of State between 1985 and 1993, said his administration was a saint compared to what is happening now.
He added that he moved against a former Military Governor who embezzled N313,000 during his administration.
Asked if he agrees with those who said his government was very corrupt, IBB said: “But what’s happening now is worse… you can’t compare it with the facts on the ground now. You can say it. From what I read, from analysis, I think we are saints when compared to what is happening under a democratic dispensation.
“I sacked a Governor for misappropriating less than N313,000.
“Today, those who have stolen billions and are in courts and are now parading themselves on the streets. Who else is better in fighting corruption?.. We are saints when compared with that.”
The former military Head of State noted that Nigeria needs a leader that will talk to the people and not talk on top of the people.
“If you get a good leadership that links with the people and tries to talk with the people; not talking on top of the people, then we would be okay,” Babangida said.
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Babangida said he has “started visualizing a good Nigerian leader.
“That is, a person, who travels across the country and has a friend virtually everywhere he travels to and he knows at least one person that he can communicate with.
“That is a person, who is very versed in economics and is also a good politician, who should be able to talk to Nigerians and so on. I have seen one, or two or three of such persons already in his 60s.”
Babangida, however, said he has a “very good” relationship with Buhari but stated that “the seemingly rift between us is caused by you, the media.”
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