In light of the seven military coups that have taken place in Africa since 2020, former Nigerian military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has shared his insights on how to prevent coups anywhere in the world....Read Full Article >>➤
Babangida’ s recommendations are detailed in his newly released autobiography, ” A Journey in Service, ” which has sparked widespread discussions about the stability of democratic governance in the region.
Africa has experienced a series of military coups in recent years, affecting countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, Chad, and Mali. In his book, Babangida emphasizes that the key to avoiding military interventions lies in good governance.
He argues that failed civilian governments create conditions that lead to coups. Babangida notes, ” Coups don’ t just happen. The failure of civilian governments is the cause of coups.
They derive from deplorable conditions created by a political leadership that abdicates its responsibility to the people. ”
See The Antidote To Coups As Revealed By Babangida
Babangida suggests that the best antidote to coups is sound, transparent civilian governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people. He stresses the importance of political leadership that consistently remains accountable and responsible to its citizens.
” The best antidote to coups is sound, transparent civilian governance that constantly reminds itself that governance’ s prime purpose is the people’ s welfare. ”
In his autobiography, Babangida provides a historical context by analyzing some of the coups that took place in Nigeria. He highlights the July 29, 1975 coup that toppled the Gowon government, the December 31, 1983 coup that usurped the Shehu Shagari government, and the August 27, 1985 coup that removed Buhari’ s government.
He said: ” During those years, several other coup attempts were quashed, including the Major Gideon Okar coup attempt of April 22, 1990, and the December 1985 coup plot of General Vatsa.
Between July 1995 and December 1997, General Abacha’ s government, at different times, claimed that it thwarted several coup attempts that led to the incarcerations of Chief Obasanjo, General Musa Yar’ Adua, and Lt- General Oladipo Diya. In April 2004, Chief Obasanjo’ s democratically elected government arrested several military officers in connection. ”
He added: ” Surprisingly, with the possible exception of the Abacha coup of November 1993, each of these military takeovers was welcomed with jubilation and relish and subsequently legitimised by public opinion in ways that would have impacted the psyche of the military.
And this brings me back to my earlier point: coups don’ t just happen. The failure of civilian governments is the cause of coups. ”
As Africa continues to grapple with the challenges of democratic governance, Babangida’ s insights offer valuable lessons on the importance of good governance and accountability.
His recommendations underscore the need for political leaders to prioritize the welfare of their citizens and maintain transparency to prevent military interventions. ...Read Full Article >>➤