IBB at 75: I'm not an 'Evil Genius' as Portrayed - IBB Says

To mark his 75th birthday, Former Head of States Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has said he is not the evil genius that many people consider him to be. 

While speaking with journalists at his residence in Minna, Niger state, on Tuesday, former Nigerian head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), says he is not the evil genius that many people consider him to be, adding that he would make the national assembly optional if he had the chance to, because of a need to cut down the cost of governance.

“During my public life, there were several decisions we took  as military officers or as  political officers — when I was a dictator — that if given another chance, I would do differently. For example, in 1989, we proposed that the national assembly should be optional, that is part-time.

“I still believe that if I had the opportunity, I would make the national assembly part-time. I believe in that very strongly and is part of efforts to cut down the cost of governance in Nigeria,” he said.

Commenting on being an evil genius as many Nigerians consider him, the former military leader said: “I am not the evil genius that quite a lot of people consider me that I am.

“I have had a very excellent background and training. We have to love one another. However, I can understand the feeling people have towards me.

“By the virtue of the job I was doing, I was bound to be misconstrued and my actions misinterpreted as evil. I consider what people say as an opinion as long as I am not what you think I was; I feel satisfied‎,” he concluded.