Lagos — As the debate on 2007 election hots up, two events in our political life - the 1966 coup and the 1993 aborted military transition to civil rule - pointedly show we need to learn from experience. Truth is that the political class as constituted at present does not seem to be worry of the past as they wobble and fumble by the day. But equally true is that the military has nothing to offer us. Absolutely nothing. A cursory reflection on military misadventure into politics proves that, whether active or retired, a military man should remain an observer or at most an adviser to politicians on security matters.

This is why the continual clamour by some people that General Ibrahim Babangida should contest the 2007 presidential election is not only silly but sad. News report has it that the whole of Delta State was awash with his poster recently to the disappointment of the former military president. These same political jobbers, we learnt are already campaigning on the internet, that their man "is the main man" for 2007. Their argument is that Vice President Atiku Abubakar should be hedged out in 2007. Well, a pertinent question is: who is better qualified between the two? Babangida, we know, and Atiku we know. Fortunately, the records are there for well meaning Nigerians to see.

The formula which expresses most adequately their credentials is to juxtapose their records in public office. By this, we would be able to see these two engaging personalities as they really are. Their greatest point should be their commitment to democracy. Babangida is known to have annulled the most peaceful and most orderly election results in Nigeria, via June 12, 1993 presidential elections. Prior to the elections, he had a macabre dance with all sorts of political schemes until he embraced the option A4.

The Option A4 was a brilliant political calculation which every one thought would lead to the promised land. It almost did, until Babangida abrupted the system at the point of success. The annulment of the June 12, 1993 election results, shows that Babangida is a reactionary and unrepentant enemy of democracy. For one thing, that annulment led to the killing of many youngsters in Lagos and other cities, and almost led to a civil war. It also led Nigeria to the second Dark Age, during which, so many sources of intellectual and imaginative ideas were either murdered or forced into exile. It triggered brain drain, with a larger crowd of Nigerians in Diaspora to the bargain.

Gullible Nigerians may argue that afterall, Babangida was rumoured to have contributed to President Olusegun Obasanjo's campaign in 1999, well, he had no choice at the time because as at then, Nigeria was already at the brink of a break up, and having originated the calamity, he had to be seen to seeking remedy. Truth is, everybody knew that any presidential candidate outside the West would have been unacceptable as at that time. This fact was also demonstrated by the APP/AD Alliance which also picked its flag bearer from West.

In line with the practice in advanced democracies, the Obasanjo administration set up the Oputa Panel, in the spirit of the Truth Commission in South Africa, to revive unity and camaraderie among Nigerians. Besides, the panel had no powers to jail anyone but to ensure that misdeeds were confessed and pardoned. While even the incumbent president appeared before the panel twice, Babangida refused, till date, to so do. At a point, he was given the liberty to appear before the panel in camera, yet, he and his other retired general colleagues would not. In essence, the man IBB does not believe in democracy, openness and reconciliation, how then can he be qualified to rule this country? In other climes his refusal to appear before the panel is enough reason to render him politically impotent.

What more can we say about the $12.4 billion Gulf War oil revenue scandal? The big man on Minna Hill, would constantly inform Nigerians that the money was judiciously spent. Now, the question is: on what? On this point, the blame is not on IBB but on a government that preaches transparency and an-all-out war on corruption but practices double-standards. Both IBB and discerning Nigerians know that the windfall would be accounted for someday. It may be during another regime.

On the economy, it was Babangida's government that introduced the obnoxious settlement spree which culminated in 419 syndrome. Until that wicked regime, 419 was not known to the Nigerian public. Today, it is one of the ills every citizen has to suffer for, either at foreign airport or nation. Even Nigerians working with international agencies are treated with skepticism as everyone is regarded a thief, yet someone is preaching "bring back IBB".

It is also paramount to ask what more is the man looking for? With all the atrocities committed against Nigerians, Babangida according to the 1999 constitution is entitled to at least N350,000 basic salary a month, three official cars, replaceable every four years, free medical services and vacation anywhere in the world. How many Nigerians have such an opportunity?

Atiku Abubakar, the incumbent Vice President has a record of loyalty and political sagacity, since he joined his political godfather, the late Musa Yau'Adua, he has not been found wanting. In life, in death, he remains committed to the cause of Yau'Adua. The same gusto he has demonstrated in his loyalty to President Obasanjo. Unlike deputy governors who most times try to oust their bosses, Atiku has remained loyal. Discerning Nigerians could even imagine what it could take to be a deputy to a president who would call university lecturers' "thieves" or ask the president of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to shut up in the midst of a major crisis. But for this man, Atiku to have remained level headed is an achievement.

Today, Atiku is known as a bridge builder having, out of dedication and role modelling built friendship across the nation, in spite of religious and ethnic differences. No wonder, his portage call him: "Apostle of Gentle manliness.

Besides, having been in the saddle for eight years as the second - in- command, Atiku already knows where the shoe pinches, where more interest needs be shown and as such, where to concentrate attention. Critics have always claimed that he would have made his contributions to governance here and now. They are missing a vital point. This is more so in our environment where deputies are told to wait for their time.

Nobody is saying that Atiku is an angel. Never, what is sure is that he, if voted into power cannot misrule or cut his nose to spite his face as was common in the "Maradona days". His aides would quickly tell you that Atiku would guarantee good governance and national development. Moreso, we must shake off the siege mentality of the military on our political space. Let's be man enough to tell them off this time around; enough is enough.

No doubt, from the parallels above, we can identify the central problem with the pro - IBB group. They are either mischievous or just trying to fleece the man. Otherwise, it would be apt to reason that they have been "Colonised" by long years of military interregnum when orderliness probity and transparency were thrown overboard and idiocy became a national agendum. Where else on earth can a patriot contemplate returning a retired general whose actions led to a major national calamity? Sad enough, this is a general whose government raked our collective sensibility with savage claws of his "evil ingenuity" until our wounds were bare, and our psyche exposed. But for God, Nigeria today would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah just because of one man. God forbid?

Ayela, a journalist, writes from Lagos