Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd. ), has explained why he led the coup that removed Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ) from power in 1985....Read Full Article >>➤
According to Babangida, Buhari was overthrown because he personalised leadership, alienated the military, and ruled with a rigid, authoritarian approach. In his newly released book, A Journey in Service, Babangida detailed the circumstances that led to the coup, describing the Buhari- Idiagbon administration as one that isolated itself from both the armed forces and the civilian population.
He argued that the military government of the time had failed to fulfil its promises to the people and was leading the country towards instability.
Why Buhari Had To Go
Babangida explained that by early 1985, Nigeria was in a state of uncertainty and fear. He stated that Buhari and his deputy, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, had adopted a ” holier- than- thou” attitude, which alienated the civilian population and caused divisions within the military.
” The change in leadership had become necessary as a response to the worsening mood of the nation and growing concern about our future as a people, ” Babangida wrote.
He recalled that the 1983 coup, which brought Buhari to power, was meant to rescue Nigeria from corruption and mismanagement under Shehu Shagari’ s civilian administration. However, by 1985, the military government itself had lost direction, and there was growing fear that the armed forces could split due to internal disagreements.
” In state affairs, the armed forces, as the only remaining institution of national cohesion, were becoming torn into factions; something needed to be done lest we lose the nation itself, ” Babangida wrote.
Buhari’ s Leadership Style Criticised
One of Babangida’ s main criticisms of Buhari’ s government was its authoritarian approach to governance. He argued that instead of working as a collective military leadership, Buhari and Idiagbon had isolated themselves and turned the government into a dictatorship.
” My predecessor in office, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, and his deputy, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, had separated themselves from the mainstream of the armed forces by personalising what was initially a collective leadership, ” Babangida stated.
He further claimed that Buhari’ s administration governed with strict and harsh decrees, which limited personal freedoms and led to widespread fear among Nigerians.
” We ruled the nation with a series of draconian decrees… Fundamental rights and freedoms were being routinely infringed upon and abused, ” he wrote.
Additionally, Babangida described how economic conditions worsened under Buhari’ s rule, with essential goods becoming scarce and strict government controls making daily life difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
Tensions Within The Military
Babangida also revealed that Buhari’ s leadership style created tensions within the military itself. He recalled a situation where senior officers were dismissed without proper investigation, a move that angered many within the armed forces.
” Even the very integrity of the armed forces was being called into question, ” Babangida stated.
He claimed that he had raised concerns about the growing discontent but was placed under surveillance, with his communications and personal life being closely monitored by the Buhari regime.
” The privacy of my communications and those of my family was constantly monitored, ” he wrote.
The 1985 Coup And Its Aftermath
Faced with growing divisions in the military and public dissatisfaction, Babangida said he and other senior officers decided to remove Buhari from power. The coup took place on 26 August 1985 and was carried out without bloodshed. Babangida took over as Nigeria’ s new leader on 27 August 1985.
” I assumed office as the nation’ s new leader, fully aware of the many challenges confronting the country, ” he stated.
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Babangida admitted that he had clear ideas about how to move Nigeria forward, based on his long experience in government and consultations with various stakeholders. However, his administration would later face its own challenges, including economic struggles, political crises, and the controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
Regrets And Controversies
In the book, Babangida expressed regret over some of the decisions he made while in power. One of his biggest regrets, he admitted, was leaving General Sani Abacha as the most senior military officer in the Interim National Government led by Ernest Shonekan.
He described this decision as a ” grave mistake, ” as Abacha later seized power in 1993 and ruled Nigeria with an iron grip.
Babangida also denied having any involvement with the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), a political group led by Senator Arthur Nzeribe, which played a key role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election won by MKO Abiola.
He stated that the ABN’ s activities came as a surprise to him and that his government had already lost credibility by that point, making it difficult to convince Nigerians that he had no hidden agenda. ...Read Full Article >>➤
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