Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has advised ex- military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) to brace himself for a mix of praise, criticism, and outright condemnation following the release of his autobiography. Obasanjo, who presided over the book launch, commended Babangida for taking the bold step of documenting his experiences in governance....Read Full Article >>➤
He emphasized that such a move would not only serve as a historical reference for future generations but would also spark diverse reactions from the public.
The book, titled A Journey in Service, is a memoir detailing Babangida’ s life, including his role as Nigeria’ s military head of state, controversial decisions during his regime, and his reflections on key national events— among them, the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was widely believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Speaking at the event, Obasanjo highlighted the importance of preserving historical records, stating that Nigeria’ s path to national development depends significantly on accurate documentation. He noted that Babangida’ s book would inevitably attract both applause and harsh criticism, urging him not to be discouraged by detractors.
” You have taken a vital step in shaping history by putting your experiences into writing, ” Obasanjo remarked. ” This is a crucial part of nation- building— ensuring that future generations understand the events that shaped our country. ”
He continued, ” However, I must warn you: be prepared for all kinds of reactions. Some will praise your courage, while others will attack you viciously. There will be those who seek to discredit your account simply because of personal biases. But take note— objective criticism should never be ignored. ”
Lessons From His Own Experience
Obasanjo reflected on his own encounters with critics, sharing an anecdote about the late legal luminary and politician, Tunji Braithwaite. According to him, Braithwaite condemned one of his books without even reading it.
” A fierce critic of mine, the late Tunji Braithwaite— may his soul rest in peace— publicly denounced a book I wrote. When he was asked whether he had actually read it, he admitted he had not. His reason? He believed that anything written by Obasanjo was automatically bad, ” Obasanjo said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
” This is the kind of reality you must prepare for. Some will judge you not by the content of your book but by their personal perception of you. ”
IBB’ s Confession On June 12 Election And Its Implications
One of the most striking revelations in Babangida’ s book is his admission that Chief MKO Abiola rightfully won the June 12, 1993, election, which was later annulled under his regime. The decision remains one of the most controversial actions in Nigeria’ s political history, and IBB’ s acknowledgment of Abiola’ s victory has reignited debates over his legacy.
Political analysts believe this confession will generate heated discussions, especially among democracy advocates and supporters of Abiola, who view the annulment as a betrayal of the Nigerian people’ s mandate. While some may see Babangida’ s admission as a step toward historical clarity, others may argue that it comes too late to change the past.
Obasanjo, who succeeded General Abdulsalami Abubakar as Nigeria’ s civilian president in 1999, avoided delving too deeply into the political weight of Babangida’ s confession. However, his statement about ” put him down syndrome” suggests he expects the book’ s release to trigger a fresh wave of public scrutiny.
Fundraising For A Presidential Library
Beyond the book’ s content, the event also served as a fundraising platform for the establishment of a presidential library, an initiative aimed at preserving Babangida’ s records and contributions to Nigerian history. Obasanjo underscored the importance of such projects, emphasizing that leaders must leave behind well- documented legacies.
” The challenge of leadership does not end when one leaves office. The responsibility to document one’ s tenure is crucial. Those who fail to do so leave their legacies at the mercy of others who may distort the truth, ” Obasanjo added.
Public Reactions And the Road Ahead
Following the event, reactions have been mixed. Some Nigerians see Babangida’ s book as a long- overdue reflection that may help bridge historical gaps, while others remain skeptical about the timing and intent behind his confessions.
With the book now in the public domain, Babangida faces renewed scrutiny over his role in one of Nigeria’ s most defining political moments. Whether his revelations will soften public perception of his leadership or further entrench criticism remains to be seen.
As Obasanjo aptly put it, Babangida should brace for the good, the bad, and the ugly.
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