NANS Plans Anti-IBB Protest For May 29

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Oyo State branch, has  said that it was planning a mass protest against the presidential ambition of ex-military president, Ibrahim Babangida, to save the country and its nascent democracy.

The association, in a statement issued in Ibadan and signed by its Chairman Yekeen Olaniyi, said that the planned protest would hold on May 29.

The students said that Babangida’s plan to rule Nigeria again was “immoral and even gravely insulting’’ to its more than 150 million citizens.

“We are determined to break the cycle of corruption and bad governance. Babangida and his contemporaries are not good for the Nigeria of the 21st century,’’ the statement said.

  According to NANS, the 2011 general election is crucial to Nigeria’s future because it is the turning point to reposition the country for the 21st century.

“The Nigerian students are favourably disposed to fresh hands. What Nigeria needs is young, vibrant, incorruptible and visionary leadership come 2011,’’ the statement said.  

Babangida confirmed that he would run for the office of president in next year’s general election at the Benin-City Airport en route Asaba, the Delta State capital.

He told reporters that speculations about his presidential ambition were correct.

While in Asaba, Babangida told his audience at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, that Nigerians had the political will, economic potential and entrepreneurial capabilities to solve the country’s numerous socio-economic and political problems.