Former Nigeria’s Head of state, General Abdulsalam Abubakar has described the process of democratic system of government in the country as very commendable.
General Abdulsalam, further applauded the political development of the country as a success 22 years after the military handed over the mantle of leadership to a democratically elected government in the country.
The former Military Head of State stated this in Minna Niger state Capital during a press briefing marking Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary.
“Nigeria is been asked to safeguards democracy in the region, due to its success and achievements in the past 22 Years of democracy in the country. This is because of the success achieved, growing from strength to strength since handing over”, said General Abubakar
“The era of Military coup is gradually coming back to West Africa, and Nigeria is now regarded as the watch dog to ensure full democracy in the region”.
The former head of state who commended Nigeria’s political development, mentioned that the process of democracy in the country may be faulted by some quarters, though according to him that will definitely change for better albeit the challenges as nation building is a continues process.
General Abdulsalam Abubakar who further applauded the Military handing over to the Civil rule in 1999, as the right thing for the country, said the sudden handing over to civilians in 1999, was to curtailed the fast involvement of Military in political issues of the country, which was not their mandate.
“The Military was the victim of itself where professionalism and discipline is been eroded, instead of the country first, we dabbled into the politics of selfishness and ethnicity, which is a very serious issue of concerned”, he said.
General Abdulsalam further said, “this are some of the factors that we looked into and decided to hand over power to civilians in shortest period of time, so as to restore unity of the country and to bring back professionalism into the Military”.
The former military head of state, who further commended the efforts of the Military in safeguarding the internal crises across the country, despite some challenges, appealed for strengthening the security forces, more recruitment and equipping them adequately in dealing with the numerous insecurity challenges in the country.
“Within the last couple of years, the peace in Nigeria has been destabilised by the advent of Boko haram and later on the activities of miscreants staging atrocities across the country by kidnapping for ransom, destroying government properties and vandalizing farmers farms, which is an issue of concern”.
While commending the efforts of Military in the country, General Abubakar who pointed out that the military tried to give a direction of nationalism for Nigeria to be one and united country, further said there must be equity and justice so that everybody is carried along in the country.
General Abdulsalam who also condemned the manner and style of various agitations in the country, urged for justice, equity and equal representation as solutions to those challenges.
On transportation system in the country, the former Head of state who also applauded the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for making efforts of reviving the railway system and reconstruction of roads in the country, further urged the federal government on the need to provide weigh bridges system and other means of control for proper maintenance of various roads across the country.
General Abubakar who also blamed some media in the country for various misinformation due to their biased reporting on issues in the country, called for more fair reporting for the development of the nation and to always celebrate leaders in the country rather than condemning them
“Every leader has concern for the people under him, but I’m yet to really see where the media in this country eulogises an individual with some of the things he has done”.
The former head of state, who also commended the establishment of unity schools and the National Youth Service Corps, as a step of bridging the gap of different kind of tradition and relationship across the country, also suggested for reviving of the defunct “MAMSER” scheme, to reorient people from different background of the country on the issues and development in Nigeria.
General Abdulsalaam Abubakar, Who was the last Military head of state that handed over to civil rule in Nigeria, 22 years ago, however emphasised Nigerians on the need of maintaining peace, and for the governments of either state or at the federal level to ensure peace equity and justice where every citizen is given equal right to be part and parcel of the Union.
Dominica Nwabufo
