Ozekhome SAN Backs IBB Over Comment On Corruption

Renowned human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Mike
Ozekhome has said the military government of General Ibrahim
Babangida (retd) fared better than the current democratic
government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Recall that the retired Army General last week branded the
government he chaired from 1985 to 1993 as “saint” compared to the
incumbent administration in the area of official corruption.

Reacting to the remark, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN,
while admitting that Babangida made some mistakes in the saddle,
noted that the Buhari-led government has not fared any better.

He said: “There is no basis to compare Babangida government with
the present military dictatorship that passes for a democratic
government. It’s like comparing oranges with apples. IBB cancelled
a valid democratic election but Buhari had done worse when he
overthrew the democratically elected government of Alhaji Shehu
Usman Aliyu Shagari on 31st December 1983.

“IBB had, in turn, overthrew Buhari on 26th August 1986. Aside
from the irredeemable blight of annulment of a popular election
which Chief MKO Abiola won, all other indices of governance make
IBB a saint compared with the woes Nigeria is passing through
today.”

Renowned human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Mike
Ozekhome has said the military government of General Ibrahim
Babangida (retd) fared better than the current democratic
government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Recall that the retired Army General last week branded the
government he chaired from 1985 to 1993 as “saint” compared to the
incumbent administration in the area of official corruption.

Reacting to the remark, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN,
while admitting that Babangida made some mistakes in the saddle,
noted that the Buhari-led government has not fared any better.

He said: “There is no basis to compare Babangida government with
the present military dictatorship that passes for a democratic
government. It’s like comparing oranges with apples. IBB cancelled
a valid democratic election but Buhari had done worse when he
overthrew the democratically elected government of Alhaji Shehu
Usman Aliyu Shagari on 31st December 1983.

“IBB had, in turn, overthrew Buhari on 26th August 1986. Aside
from the irredeemable blight of annulment of a popular election
which Chief MKO Abiola won, all other indices of governance make
IBB a saint compared with the woes Nigeria is passing through
today.”