By Martins Oloja
The latest autobiography in town: Babangida: A Journey in Service “is an important book in many respects” according to the reviewer, Yemi Osinbajo, a professor and former Vice President.
Accordingly, it is not just a story of the remarkable journey of former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida from childhood to the highest levels of public service, it is an account of a “journey of our Nation Nigeria, the Nigerian story, complex, sometimes unpredictable, sometimes stranger than fiction, but always fascinating”.
Many of the key characters in the book who shaped the history of our country were there on Thursday, “demonstrating something truly unique about Nigeria: our ability to move beyond the past and come together”.
Seated among those who shaped what the late General Chris Ali once called “The Federal Republic of the Nigerian Army” in Ali’s 2011 book was General Yakubu Gowon, who became Nigeria’s Head of State at just 32 and led the country for nine years. His government was overthrown in 1975 by a coup involving then-Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo, Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma, and the author himself, Babangida, who was then commander of the newly formed Armoured Corps.
The reviewer with a deep sense of history noted: “Also involved were then-Lieutenant Colonels Muhammadu Buhari, Sani Bello, and Sani Sami. Yet, there they were on February 20 at Transcorp Hilton, with former President Obasanjo and General Danjuma with his representative, (no thanks to ill-health) present not as adversaries but as witnesses to history, celebrating a fellow statesman.
“In a striking turn of fate, the author notes that it was President Obasanjo who, after the tragic assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, insisted that a young Lt. Col. Babangida be appointed to the Supreme Military Council, making him its youngest member at the time”, the reviewer revealed.
But not physically present but represented on the occasion was immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari another leader whose path intertwined with Babangida. It was Babangida who played a key role in the coup that brought General Buhari to power in 1983, and later, in another coup that removed him and brought Babangida himself to power. Specifically, President Buhari was represented at this occasion, celebrating the man who overthrew him and detained him for three and a half years his one time old adversary General Babangida.
There was some hushed excitement when the reviewer reminded the younger ones who don’t read history that, “there is gentleman here who was an elected senator in 1992 in the course of Babangida’s Transition Programme, when Babangida annulled the 1993 election, and General Abacha took over and dissolved the Senate.
He tried to reconstitute the senate in resistance to the dissolution he was detained and charged to court, he escaped into exile. Today, he also is here to celebrate with his erstwhile tormentors but now as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu GCFR…”
The 420-paged book also raises curiosities “because it unveils one of the most enigmatic leaders Nigeria has ever had. A man who some call Maradona, others the evil genius, baring his mind in his own words, in writing, for the first time since he left office 32 years ago”. Then the denouement on Thursday as revealed by the artful reviewer who notes that the author “concludes in the book and I quote him : “looking back now, the June 12 saga was undeniably the most challenging moment of my life and, in certain respects, one of the most painful… and he went on to admit “If I had to do it all over, I’d do it differently…”
Osinbajo, a professor of law of evidence rounds off his review thus: “by any standard, Babangida’s Journey of Service is an extraordinary book. It is a collection of stories from a life deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s contemporary history, —told with remarkable wit, insight, and a vivid sense of place. Babangida’s storytelling ability is undeniable; he draws the reader into each moment, making history feel immediate and alive. His prose flows effortlessly from one era to another, from one pivotal event to the next, in a way that is both engaging and easy to read. He is generous in his praise of others, acknowledging the contributions of many along the way. Yet, despite the richness of his narrative, this book will not silence the debates or end the controversies surrounding his years in power especially the final chapter of his leadership. The questions will persist, the criticisms will continue, but that has always been the nature of the Babangida Phenomenon. He remains, as ever, a force of history…”
In his remark, President Bola Tinubu on the book and unveiling of the fund raiser for a presidential library, said former military president Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida showed unusual courage and patriotism by admitting that late M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12 election in 1993.
The annulment was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, precipitating a political crisis and hastened his exit from power. Many of the key actors of the phenomenal June 12, 1993 election crisis have died. They included M.K.O Abiola, the presumed winner of the election, General Sani Abacha, the Head of State who finally buried the mandate and assumed power; the then Attorney General Akpamgbo; Saleh, Chief Judge of Abuja who pronounced the election dead; etc, including most of the G-34 members who signed away June 12 The Guardian reported as a scoop on June 11, 2000.
President Tinubu said the former leader’s admission about Abiola’s victory would help to set the records properly.
But as yours sincerely had noted in an “Arise News” comment on Thursday night: It is as Shakespeare would have put the outcome of an elections after 32 years: “…a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…” . Nigeria’s leader said he would continue to do his best for the country by making tough decisions to reposition the economy. He called on Nigerians to refocus their time, energy, and resources on building the country that remains their home and be more mindful of changes in global migration laws that could impede their dreams of a better life.
“I am glad about what is happening in America and Europe, the contradiction you have seen now. What is it telling us? It is telling us to wake up and make Africa a better place, particularly this country, Nigeria….”
President Tinubu thanked Gen. Babangida for his foresight in ensuring the private sector’s growth in Nigeria. “Without you, people like me will not be in politics. I thank you for your progressive revolution. You said you wanted young, brilliant people in politics. We met you in Dodan Barracks. You inspired some of us. And when you look at the programme today, the names of bankers and many of us here today for this library project are all because they believe in the visionary Babangida. Thank you for what you are.”
Gen. Babangida who thanked the President and all guests for attending the unveiling of his autobiography, admitted that annulling the June 12 elections was the most challenging decision of his life. Given another chance, he would have handled the situation differently.
His words: “That accident of history is most regrettable. The nation is entitled to expect my expression of regret. As a leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken under my watch”. “June 12 happened under my watch; mistakes, oversights, and missteps happened in quick succession, but I say in my book, in all matters, we acted in the supreme national interest so that Nigeria could survive…”
The launch of General IBB’s book, offers valuable lessons and deliverables for the current administration. As I was saying on “Arise News Tv” on Thursday, the key takeaway is the importance of our leaders investing in human capital, particularly the youth and tapping of intellectuals and technocrats across all geo-political zones as IBB intentionally did in his time.
Using a football analogy, I had on Thursday emphasised that just as a Spanish football club, Real Madrid invest in top talent like Mbappe, Vinicius Jnr, Rodrigo, Bellingham, etc Nigeria’s leaders must prioritise investing in their best and brightest people. This means also that leaders in Nigeria should create and invest in opportunities for education, skills development, and entrepreneurship. There shouldn’t be recourse to the people Alvin Toffler calls the illiterate of the 21st century who can’t learn, unlearn and relearn.
What is more, at the event, Tinubu had the opportunity of hearing about the quality of IBB’s team from 1985 to 1993, a period marked by significant economic and political reforms in Nigeria. In other words, IBB tapped the brightest and the best brains from all over the country. Tinubu’s team has been regularly criticised as a celebration of mediocrity. He has an opportunity soon to rejig his team as he marks second year in office in May this year.
Tinubu’s presence at the book launch highlights his commitment to learning from Nigeria’s past leaders and building on their achievements. As the current President of Nigeria, he recognises the importance of understanding the country’s history and the role that leaders like IBB have played in shaping its development.
The Lessons: visionary leadership: IBB’s leadership style, as highlighted in the book, demonstrates the importance of having a clear vision for the country’s development; strategic planning: The book launch emphasises the need for strategic planning and implementation, which was a hallmark of IBB’s administration: he created agencies even in human capital development sectors, (education and health) where the late Babs Fafunwa and Olikoye Ransome Kuti, for instance, showcased the importance of skilled and committed leaders in the discipline of execution.
Besides, IBB’s leadership style highlights the importance of inclusive governance, which involves engaging with various stakeholders, including the youth, to ensure that their voices were heard.
President Tinubu’s testimony also underscores that. He (Tinubu) should borrow from that brilliance.
In the main, the launch of IBB’s book offers valuable lessons and deliverables for President Tinubu’s administration. By investing in human capital, particularly prioritising education reform beyond creation of more instead of better universities, inclusive governance, the administration can set Nigeria on a path to sustainable development and growth. That is the Babangida we should find in a new Tinubu after the profound speeches last Thursday.
After all, in a Sunday August 22, 1993, issue of The Guardian a Nigerian celebrated columnist, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo of blessed memory wrote a classic on ‘The Babangida in all of us’. I hope the best of Babangida President Tinubu spoke glowingly about on Thursday will also be in him, for the public good’s game at this time.
Martins Oloja is the Managing Editor of The Guardian Newspapers
