2011: ACTION ALLIANCE VOWS TO STOP BABANGIDA

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.)
The Action Alliance, one of the 62 political parties in the country, has vowed to stop former President Ibrahim Babangida's ambition to rule the country again.

The party maintained that it would mobilise its members and indeed all Nigerians to ensure that the aspiration of the former dictator failed.

Speaking with our correspondent in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Chairman of AA, Senator Suleiman Salawu, explained that the decision to rally Nigerians against IBB was non-negotiable, 'because he lacks the capacity and integrity to govern the country.'

Salawu alleged that Babangida laid the groundwork for corruption in the country when he was military president, adding that Nigeria was still suffering from the foundation laid by the former dictator.

The former lawmaker challenged Babangida to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of Dele Giwa and others believed to have been opposed to him when he was president.

He accused Babangida, who is seeking the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential ticket, of dividing the Yoruba community in Kwara State and masterminding the embezzlement of $12.4bn oil windfall.

Salawu said, 'The foundation for corruption was laid by Babangida. He needs to explain how the N12.4bn oil windfall developed wings. He needs to tell us what happened to Rewane after he wrote an article asking him to explain the source of his wealth.

'Nigerians should hold IBB responsible for his misdeeds when he was in power.'

He stated that his party had fully endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the next president of the country, adding that he still remained 'the least tainted among the contestants.'

The AA chairman listed Jonathan's humility, non-dictatorial tendencies and level-headedness as some of the reasons the party was supporting him.

'AA believes that Jonathan is the best material we can work with, because we are all for good governance. By the way, he has not contributed to the destruction of the polity in anyway.

'The North has held on to power for 39 years out of 50. They have dominated the politics of Nigeria for too long a time. Our party is based on justice and fair play. That is why I feel we should give another region a chance,' he said.

On his appraisal of the other contestants, Salawu said former vice-president, Abubakar Atiku, lacked political ideology while Buhari allegedly decimated the ranks of progressives in the country during his reign as head of state.