Despite annulment of June 12, IBB says he gave Nigeria his best

Former head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), says he gave his best to the country.

The former military ruler who is infamous for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election ruled Nigeria from 1985-1993.

Speaking with journalists in his Hilltop residence in Minna on Saturday, IBB said he would allow history be the best judge of his time in office.

“Number one is that I served the country the best I could. It may not be to your satisfaction but to the best that I could; I leave that to history to judge,” he said.

“I related fairly well with the people of the country. I had no problem with them and I got to know the country more as I was well travelled. I made friends all over the country and I thought that was one of the greatest achievements.”

Babangida said his greatest achievement as Nigeria’s leader was to know more about the country and make friends across the board while adopting coercion and dialogue as leadership styles.

He also advised young Nigerians to study the country they intend to lead in future.

“I related fairly well with the people of the country. I had no problem with them and I got to know the country more as I was well travelled. I made friends all over the country and I thought that was one of the greatest achievements,” he said.

“You have an opportunity now as young people, get to know the country, study the country, the people and if you are able to do that or to understand that, basically I think that will go a long way to prepare you for the eventual leadership of the country,” he said.

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“Just like any other style, you are placed in a leadership position; your job is to lead people. You develop a situation where people look up to you to provide certain solutions to their problems or to their fears.

“Whatever it is and you stand out as the person who will be able to do that. So you have to study human beings, you have to read about them and you have to be very compassionate. Sometimes ruthlessness to get things done but there are a lot of ways you have to develop so that you will be able to achieve certain things. Others you plead with, some you coerce and so on and so forth.”