A former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), says the attempts to cow the media into silence will fail.
The current administration has been severally accused of attempting to muzzle the media, an allegation that the government has denied.
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The ban on Twitter, directives of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to media houses over some government policies and some bills before the national assembly had triggered backlash.
But in an interview with ARISE TV at his hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State capital, on Friday, IBB said Nigerians are resilient and will fight against such tendencies.
“Attempts to stifle the media will not work. The media and the public will not allow it to happen. It will be silly to try to clip the media because they are the essential part of the society and should be allowed to play their role for the society,” he said.
He also applauded the resilience, courage and determination of Nigerians in not allowing their leaders to ride roughshod over them.
The former military ruler said Nigerians will not allow the country descend into a one-party state,, saying with the resilience of Nigerians, the country can make a great comeback.
“Nigerians will not allow Nigeria to become a one-party country. They will talk, demonstrate and engage the leadership in all sorts of things.”
IBB described the main problem of the country as “the tyranny of the elites”, blaming insecurity on leadership.
“There is a disconnect between leadership and followership. We don’t have co-values anymore in the country which can be defended at any time. The way out is that Leaders should understand Nigeria and Nigerians, use their intellect for the benefit of the people.”
“There is too much control in the way the economy is now, there is a need to open it further, tap into the God-given talent of the people of the country.” he said.d begin.
He, however, expressed optimism that it is encouraging that the country has not collapsed, saying the leaders are still doing their best to keep it moving.
