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ormer Nigerian Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, has revealed why he removed Muhammadu Buhari from power in 1985.
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According to Babangida, Buhari’s policies were detrimental to the nation’s progress, and the armed forces were on the verge of factionalization.
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Babangida made these revelations in his new autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, where he explained that the change in leadership was necessary due to the worsening mood of the nation.
Forty years after the coup that ousted General Muhammadu Buhari from power, former Nigerian Military President Ibrahim Babangida has revealed the circumstances that led to the change in leadership.
In his new autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, Babangida explained that Buhari’s policies were detrimental to the nation’s progress and that the armed forces were on the verge of factionalization.
Babangida wrote, “By the beginning of 1985, the citizenry had become apprehensive about the future of our country. The atmosphere was precarious and fraught with ominous signs of clear and present danger.”
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He added that the initial rescue mission of 1983 had largely miscarried, and the armed forces stood the risk of being split down the line.
The former military president also stated that Buhari and his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, had separated themselves from the mainstream of the armed forces by personalizing what was initially a collective leadership.
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“They both posited a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, antagonising the civil populace against the military,” Babangida wrote.
Babangida explained that the change in leadership was necessary due to the worsening mood of the nation.
“On August 27, 1985, I assumed office as the nation’s new leader, fully aware of the many challenges confronting the country. I had no illusions about the direction in which to move the country.”
In the book, Babangida also revealed that he was under pressure from the rank and file to seek ways of reconnecting the government to society.
“I confided in some senior colleagues that I would rather resign my commission than continue in office as Chief of Army Staff without input into decisions that concern the careers of personnel under my command.”
Babangida finally admits MKO Abiola won June 12, 1993 presidential election
Thirty-two years after annulling the presidential election, former Nigerian military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida has publicly acknowledged his mistake.
In his autobiography, “A Journey in Service; An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida,” unveiled on Thursday, Babangida conceded that Chief Moshood Abiola had fulfilled all constitutional requirements to assume the presidency.
