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Sunday, November 08, 2009
Should We Forgive IBB?
Sir: I read with shock the letter by Benedicta Apia about forgiving IBB (The Guardian, November 6). As a Christian I am not against forgiving IBB for what he did to Nigeria. What I don't understand is the good in the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election. June 12 is the first election in the history of Nigeria where the voice of the people was really heard and acknowledged. MKO won in Kano State, the state of his opponent. That has never happened before in Nigeria and it proves to me that if northerners can vote for a southerner against their own son it means that there is hope for Nigeria. For the election to be overturned was unforgivable and if I may say, worse than Biafra.
Under military rule decisions were taken without recourse to the people. Most of the state's that were created were meant to favour certain interest groups. There was nothing like Niger Delta under military rule, militants were all crushed and their leaders hanged to death. Remember Ken Saro Wiwa. Oil was diverted to the North, most sensitive ministerial positions were occupied by people from a particular region and religion. The truth of the matter is that there was nothing anybody could do about it then. Many millionaires were made under the IBB regime alone. Corruption was in fact legal under IBB and the military.
The essence of democracy is that the voice of the people is heard though it may take time to come to an agreement which is the beauty of democracy. Or does Benedicta Apia want us to return to military rule?
I get angry when people say IBB was forced into annulling the election. Is he a baby or what? Was he also forced into building a 50-bed house in Minna? What do we expect from the sycophants that surrounded IBB? IBB is responsible for his actions and should not blame anybody. I too forgive IBB, because bitterness cannot solve any problem. However I must warn him that if he does properly repent he should remember the saying that God's court, no appeal.
*Tutu Olutayo,
Sweden.
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