In this interview with Chief lkechukwu Igboanugo (IKB), he talks of the chances of Ibrahim Babangida at the polls in 2007 and gives reasons why Nigerians should support the former head of state.
How would you assess Obasanjo’s government?
President General Olusegun Obasanjo is aware that the masses are suffering; but according to reports, the foreign reserve has increased coupled with the oil boom, but it has not reached the common people.
Coming to 2007, what do you see happening, especially with the aspiration of General Ibrahim Babangida?
Personally, I started IBB for 2007 campaign since 2001, we’ve been doing the publicity for some time now. Considering the fact that he splendidly handled the affairs of this country for eight years and has been able to pin point the people’s wishes and problems, especially with the reforms which he carried out.
How come you’d been campaigning for him since 2001; you know he’d been very silent about politics before?
Yes, I personally diagnosed his administration for eight years and observed that if the man can be given another chance, Nigeria would become a better nation because he understands the feelings of the masses. Here is a man who knows when to apply the brakes on a policy when the need arises. It’s just unfortunate that when people want to be mischievous, they conveniently forget whatever they want to and remember the ones they want to.
You as an lgbo man, why are you not clamouring for Igbo presidency, when the South-East is claiming 2007 to be their turn?
Good question. Personally, I don’t believe in lgbo, Hausa, Yoruba, I believe in who will give us a better Nigeria, an enjoyable Nigeria, a comfortable Nigeria.
Secondly, the South-East is claiming 2007, what about South-South? Are they not Nigerians? By the way, who will be the candidate in from the South-East? There is no candidate that will not call for financial support, any presidential election is an expensive venture that runs into billions of naira, and it is not only a Nigerian thing - it happens even in the western world.
So the lgbo presidential aspirants have formed the habit of seeking financial help from the Igbo traders and businessmen who are not ready to donate a reasonable sum to justify presidential campaign and achievement because most of our funds are borrowed from banks with interest, but in the North, there are people there with political interests who are willing and ready to fund politics.
Also the Igbo people know how to talk about something but at the end of the day, no implementation.
From 1999, there has been this talk about lgbo president, lgbo president, the Igbo businessmen assembled somewhere in lkoyi and contributed N270 million for Ekwueme, such amount was nothing and cannot achieve presidential campaign, at the end of the day, Ekwueme surrendered to Obasanjo.
Again in 2003, lgbo president, lgbo president, so many Igbo presidential aspirants emerged, none could be able to step down for another, in the same vein, lgbo businessmen contributed heavily for the late Okadigbo, at the end of the day, nothing was achieved.
Now 2007 is approaching, they have started again, lgbo president, Igbo president, we know how to make noise but the implementation is zero.
What of the South-East governors, if they put hands together to finance presidential campaign?
Yes, it is possible but the problem is that most of them are interested in second position to Atiku and Babangida, hence, most of them may not be interested. No matter the level of meetings held today by South-East governors, it will not go down to the bottom of their hearts. The recent Ohaneze’s enlarged political meetings will eventually fizzle out, as time goes on, the meeting will shrink, the stakeholders will scatter, don’t forget that there are four solid political parties, APGA definitely will zone its presidency to the East. What of other parties, are they going to zone their presidency to the South-East?
Which means the South-East may not get there for lack of funds?
It is not that the Igbos don’t have such money but no individual is ready to dish out N50-100 million at a go and in the end, the goal may not be achieved.
But how can lgbo people achieve the presidency in this country?
I have severally advised the lgbo people to support IBB so that he will support the Igbos after his tenure. Let us exercise a little patience, it will definitely be our turn after IBB because the rotation arrangement would push it back to the south.
Talking about supporting, does that mean he would financially back whoever is coming to contest at that point - at least as he is believed to have done for Obasanjo?
He didn’t finance Obasanjo alone, his people (some northerners) contributed. Presidential bid is not a one-man show, it must always be a collective effort, financially and otherwise. We can not achieve Igbo presidency without the support of the Northerners, now after IBB( (the North) then the whole Nigeria will cry and say now, it is lgbo’s turn.
Do you think that IBB will step down after four years if he wins in 2007 or he would also go for the constitutionally guaranteed second term?
The constitution says eight years but if he doesn’t do well after four years, I will be in the forefront campaigning against him, but if he does well, which I believe he will, I will be in the forefront to campaign for his return for another four years - that is, if he does well and I believe he would do well.
What if after eight years he decides to perpetrate himself in power, as had been the case with some African presidents?
No, he can’t do that, first of all, age is not on his side, secondly, we will scream and ensure that he leaves office so that an lgbo man will take over from him.
What of South-South, as you said, they are also Nigerians?
Please South-South must wait, after IBB then South-East.
What do you say about Atiku who is also nursing presidential ambition in 2007, do you think IBB will defeat the incumbent vice-president and take over as president?
In my earlier answer to your question, I mentioned that Obasanjo is aware that the masses are suffering. So since Atiku is in this government, the masses will not want to continue with this government, continuity in 2003 is another continuity in 2007. The masses will need a complete change of government.
Many people condemn IBB and tag him Evil Genius, how do you think the people will support him en-mass?
Those people that tag IBB evil genius should understand that the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. IBB’s government since the military took over, was the best amongst all and for your information, right now, thousands of people are calling me and sending E-mails in support of IBB in 2007. IBB right now attracts the highest support for 2007.
Do you think Obasanjo will support 1BB?
Whether he supports him or not, Obasanjo is an individual, the masses will support IBB because he will ensure that the masses will stop suffering.
What party does he belong to?
Any party he belongs to, he will win but right now, I know that he is a card-carrying member of the PDP.
What is your own personal interest since IBB is from the North and you are from the East?
His last administration also favoured Igbo people and myself, but if you think that I am selfish, I wouldn’t be bothered, his administration today is rated the best and don’t forget that I earlier mentioned that I don’t believe in lgbo, Yoruba or Hausa. I am working for the common people, the masses, we want a better Nigeria.
But the economy began to decline at some point during his eight-year rule?
It is not true, the economy started declining from Shagari’s government. When that government exhausted our foreign reserve from excess to deficit, as a result they created austerity measure. Even during Buhari’s government, the economy was seriously in a mess, and Babangida’s government inherited an already battered economy.
