For the interest of Nigerians at home and abroad who are interested where I stand in Nigerian politics, especially in the politics of 2007, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and I spoke on February 19, 2004 on a variety of issues including the need to consolidate democracy in Nigeria and the need for us to work together in furtherance of that goal.  

 
I know his personal passion for democracy; he knows of my commitment to the interplay of democratic forces.   It did not take us too long for us to agree to work together to consolidate the Nigerian democracy as we proceed to 2007.   This is what democracy is all about.   Like minded people should consult and see areas of common interest around which they could work together.   This was what we did.  

 
He is on the ground in Nigeria and i am in the US.   He is in a position to make himself an instrument for the consolidation of the democratic order in Nigeria.  
 
 I assured him unreservedly that I would apply my talent in any capacity to facilitate his goal attainment in 2007 through the democratic process. I knew him to be a member of the PDP; I am still to tell him that I too applied to be an "Independent PDP member" during my meeting with the PDP South-South of New Jersey in August 2003.

 
In our telephone conversation there was no need for anyone to apologize for the what looked like a long silence or what Nigerians who did not know the many ties that bind us might have been thinking or peddling since I came to the US. Our conversation was laced with many memories of the many things we used to talk about and did together in the past that we could do together in a democratic Nigeria.  

 
Someone might be interested in who initiated the conversation.   We did not need anyone to initiate our discussion as no one knew the many ties that bind us.   They are many dating back to our days together at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies NIPSS in 1979/80.   I did not know him as a President but simply a Nigerian with passion for democracy.   This was the basis of our continuos interaction over many years after our days at the NIPSS.

  
The linksman is Barrister Emmanuel Omoruyi, my son who has been very persistent that we should put to shame those who were making living from our not talking.   He had gone with me to Minna on many occasions and the General knows him.   Emmanuel was with me in those critical days at Abuja.   He knew what I went through leading to the June 12, its annulment and the aftermath of these events.   He used to go over many papers with me and his critical spirit and his legal sense affected some of the positions that i took.   I value his sense of judgment.   He on his own went to the General and the General assured him just as i did to him that one day one of us would call.   We did not need a third party to intervene, because it was not necessary.  

 
Why now?   I thought that the tenth anniversary of the attempt on my life in February 1994 would make me take some drastic steps and the reconnection with my friend happened to be one of the byproducts of that reflection.   This was what happened on February 19, 2004. I called and he was not available as he had gone to his village, Wushishi; he returned my call and I too had gone to school.   When I came back I called and he took the phone; the rest is history.  All this within 24 hours. 
 
We agreed to share the good news to our common friends.   In fact as he was planning to attend the Installation ceremony of the New Emir of Nassarawa who is a common friend he promised to share the news with him and others at that ceremony. My decision to release this statement is part of sharing the good news to with readers especially in the international community.

 
I am aware that there would be many fall out from this open declaration that IBB and I had agreed to work together in furtherance of the 2007.  I shall entertain many questions from Nigerians at home and abroad who would be asking questions about my motive and quid pro quo.   My motive is pre.   There was no need to think of quid pro quo.   I was asked the same type of question when i endorsed President Obasanjo and rejected Ojukwu and Buhari in 2003 election.   My response then was that my motive was pure and that has been proved to be so.   I had my share of public office in Nigeria and I am no longer interested in one at my age.   Public office in Nigeria today should be left to my children and their friends.

 
Let me make it abundantly clear; IBB had not told me that he is a candidate for the Presidential election .   We only agreed to work together in furtherance of democratic consolidation.   Should I call him to be a Presidential candidate?   He knows what to do.  
 
He is aware that at the appropriate time he would have to lay before the Nigerian people his Vision for Nigeria if he wants to lead a democratic Nigeria.   Once he makes up his mind and would want my help as a candidate, of course, he would unreservedly have it.  
 
Professor Omo Omoruyi

 

March 2004