Women Leader of IBB Campaign Organisation and former Lagos State Commissioner, Chief Mrs Remi Adiukwu-Bakare spoke with us in Lagos on the ambition of former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for the Presidency in 2011.
Could you shed light on the activities of the women wing of the IBB Campaign Organisation
We started by reminding the women about the Better Life for Rural Women, which the late First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Babangida, initiated. A large number of women came on their own to say that they wanted to be part of the campaign, to say thank you to the late First Lady. I have been able to identify my zonal women leaders in the six geo-political zones of the federation. We have got state women co-ordinators and leaders for the IBB Campaign Organisation, who would in turn go to the senatorial districts and local governments to mobilise women. We are planning a tour of the geo-political zones to sensitise women to the viability of the IBB Project.
What are the challenges involved in selling IBB's candidature to Nigerians
There are so many challenges, but we can surmount them. There are many people who like to identify with the project, but because of what they benefit from the present government, the contracts and the fear of losing face with the state governments, they are not identifying in the open. There is hunger in the land and they believe that the President is still in control. That does not mean that there are no people who are following IBB with boldness because they believe him. They want to go along with him. We have a whole multitude following us. Those little challenges are there and they are the bane of our democracy today. People just want to be part of the incumbent, whether good or bad. It is unfortunate.
What is the basis for the IBB challenge
I have told you. Incumbency is the major thing. Jonathan is there and some people are having their three square meals through that and some people are hoping to get their three square meals through that. That is the major challenge. There is no candidate that is on the field today that will be able to outwit us.
Why are you convinced that IBB is good for the job or why do you think that he should be given a chance again
I see this man as the only man that can do four years. He is the man that can serve only four years and leave. He is going to be 70. People have accused him of so many things. He is coming back to play a civilian role. If you accuse a military man of killing, he is trained to do so. But as a civilian, he is coming back to show that, on the things he had been accused as a soldier, he can do better as a civilian. Experience counts. He had been through the length and breadth of this country. He is not just making friends because he wants to be the President of the country, like other aspirants are doing. He has a network outside this country. He has antecedent. Look at other aspirants, especially the incumbent President, he has never contested elections all his life. This is the first time he is going to contest elections. He always got it on slate. Who is this man who has been there before, who has taken us through democracy before, who had given us options to arrive at democracy? The man is IBB. I am a business woman. When he was the President, there were a lot of business activities going on. We did not depend solely on the oil industry. My friends and I used to export things to earn foreign exchange. Now, nobody is talking about encouraging small scale export. It was during his time that we had so many institutions put in place that made our businesses more robust. If he made one or two mistakes, I am prepared to forgive him. To me, I give him pass mark. He assembled the best brains in the country to work with him. People accusing him of bad governance were all part of his government at that time. So, I sincerely believe in him and his programmes. There will be good business climate again, qualitative education, women empowerment. He had promised equity in gender representation in government, both elective and appointive. I sincerely believe that Babangida is the best man for the job
Don't you see his rivals from his zone; Atiku, Gusau and Saraki, actually reducing his chances at the primaries
I don't see them reducing his chances. Which Southerner has come up in the PDP? None. They know that there is a written agreement. It is written. You don't really say that a social contract among people is unconstitutional. You don't refer to the constitution of the country at all times. For example, the Lions Club has its constitution. All other clubs have their constitutions. The members abide by their constitutions. In some clubs, there is male membership only, yet the constitution supports free association. But women would not be brought in because of that. It is the same in the PDP. If PDP says we would be rotating certain positions within ourselves, if you cannot abide by it, you go to another club. PDP has zoning in Clause 7(2) (c) of its constitution for fairness, equity and justice. The thing has been zoned to the North. So, it will not reduce his chance. It only shows that the thing has been zoned to the North.
Do you see an IBB Presidency resolving the problem of unemployment and poor electricity supply
He has experience. He had sat back for 17 years. He did not just sit back and lazing around. I can assure you that he can tackle most of the problems and lay a good foundation for our democracy.
It is being said that the ANPP deliberately amended its constitution to accommodate IBB if he fails to get the PDP ticket. What is your reaction
IBB is a PDP member and he will continue to be a PDP member. Anybody can insinuate anything.
Zoning advocates are pushing for a Northern consensus candidate. Does the likelihood exist that IBB emerge as the beneficiary
I see that happening. The whole process is on. He is the best, most experienced. Those who love IBB love him with a passion. The few that tend to dislike him do so with a passion also. When, you go to the grassroots, they will tell you that they fared better under him. We are mobilising the grassroots.
How do you assess the PDP preparations for the primaries
We are waiting for the party guidelines. We are hoping that the party will live up to expectation by ensuring a level playing ground.
President Goodluck Jonathan went to obtain his form and made a statement that there is no zoning. What is your reaction
You don't talk when you are eating. So, we have a whole lot of people who believe in the largesse they are getting from the President. They will not speak the truth. God help Nigeria.
How is your group tackling the issues being raised about IBB, especially Dele Giwa, oil wind fall and June 12
It has been raised several times. IBB came to Lagos here. He has spoken about it. He had spoken about June 12. Years had rolled by. It is high time we moved forward. Has court said that he killed Dele Giwa? Which windfall? We have not seen the Okigbo Report. They took something to the Attorney-General and it was found out that it was nothing. When lies are repeated, it sounds like the truth. We should not continue to dwell on those issues.
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