18th August, 2010
Deputy National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Alhaji Musa Umar, on Tuesday urged former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida to tell Nigerians why he annulled the 1993 presidential election.
Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that Babangida’s recent statement, regretting the annulment, was no news.
“The annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election is worth regretting, but IBB should give us data on what led to the annulment, apologise to Nigerians and seek for forgiveness.
“He should tell Nigerians who annulled the election and why it was annulled. This is what will put a final seal on the June 12 election,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Babangida and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had on Sunday declared their intention to contest the 2011 presidential election.
Commenting on the declaration of both leaders, Umar said “they are both Nigerians and the constitution allows every adult to contest the presidency.
“They are welcomed. Everything depends on Nigerians, if they want either of the two of them to become president, so be it,’’ he said.
On constitution amendment, Umar said the President’s assent was needed to make it into law.
He said some aspects of the amendment should not have taken place, citing as example the time frame for the election.
According to him, amending the time frame for election and the pattern INEC should follow would not augur well for the electoral process and the INEC as it will create confusion.