By Dayo Dare
On February 20th, 2025, former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida released his memoir:“A Journey in Service”, which brought a lot of buzz across the country due to the expose that is contained in it. IBB, popularly dubbed “Maradona” —due to his ability to evade political opponents— is one of Nigeria’s 8th military presidents who had quite a controversial time in office
The former president played a pivotal role in the coup that replaced Shehu Shagari with Muhammad Buhari. Babangida’s quest for power and dissatisfaction with Buhari led to a takeover, which he orchestrated in 1985. With new power, IBB lessened government control of the press and released some detainees. He also announced the formation of a new civilian government in 1990 and decreed that no military officer could stand as a candidate. At that time, many applauded what looked like a true return to democracy as Babangida’s government then created two political parties as vehicles for this return to democracy as vehicles for this return to democracy: the National Republican Convention and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
One significant event during his time in office was the assassination of renowned journalist, Dele Giwa, who was killed with a parcel bomb. Till date many still accuse the former president of being the orchestrator of that assassination, a claim he has continuously denied “Mr. Giwa was a good friend, like a few other senior journalists in the country. We spoke often on the phone and met a few times. I valued his deep insight on national issues and respected his views and reach as a media leader,” he wrote in his book.
Although some have come out to commend IBB for his book launch, many feel it is long overdue but worth the wait as it gives a detailed insight into what transpired during his time in office.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The book launch which took place at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, had in attendance many political dignitaries, former Presidents, and top business shots. The long list included the likes of former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari–who wasn’t himself in attendance but sent a representative– former Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo, current president of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima. Other dignitaries in attendance were former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu—the chief launcher— Tony Elumelu, Aliko Dangote, among others.
Billions in Donation
The notable attendance of dignitaries and business moguls also ushered in robust amounts of donations and pledges. The book garnered a whopping sum of over 17.6 billion naira in donations for the establishment of the IBB Presidential library. On the list of financial donors were Aliko Dangote–one of the wealthiest men in Africa– who donated 8 billion naira; billionaire and industrialist, Abdulsamad Rabiu, who was also the Chief Launcher pledged the sum of 5 billion naira. Other notable figures who contributed included business mogul, Folorunsho Alakija, billionaire businessman Arthur Eze, former army chief and minister of Defence T. Y. Danjuma, and many more.
Over N17 billion is no small largesse for a book launch.any would argue that these funds could have been used to address more pressing needs of the country. In 2024, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Health, spent a total of N10 billion for upgrade of 10 new FMC’s and specialty hospitals (Source:Your BudIT). In the same year, the Nigerian government stated that they received N12 billion in aid during the Maiduguri flooding in 2024 (source:nairametrics).These show that the arguments that the sums donated could have found better value elsewhere hold water. However generous these donations may seem, there’s no denying that the funding raised for humanitarian needs pale in comparison to the donation for Ibrahim Babangida’s presidential library.
A retelling of historical events
“A Journey In Service” is an autobiography of the former President’s life and highlights important historical events that took place decades ago. The book answered some questions in the minds of many and also gave an insight into the former president’s past rule. In the book, Babangida admitted that Moshood Abiola won the presidential election conducted in 1993 despite the election being annulled. However, he revealed that this decision was taken while he was away in Katsina, therefore he had no knowledge of it. IBB also explained how he later discovered that his Chief of Defence staff, Sani Abacha, led the forces against the June 12 election causing a nationwide dilemma at the time. The former president said he had to step down in August and plant a new government led by Ernest Shonekan.
Unfortunately, the new government did not last long, and Sani Abacha soon deposed it. Abacha later detained MKO Abiola and declared himself President. During this military regime, a group known as the Association to Better Nigeria [ABN] which Arthur Nzeribe led, made a coalition to fight against this injustice. In his memoir, Babangida admitted to knowing Nzeribe and being his close friend, but he said he was never in league with the group’s activities.
“From out of nowhere, on June 10, two days before the presidential election, the same shadowy group, ABN, which had been campaigning for an extension of military rule, approached the Abuja High Court of Justice Bassey Ikpeme for an injunction to stop NEC (National Electoral Commission) from conducting the elections,” he said in his memoir.
He narrated that a meeting was convened, which included the highest governing body at that time, the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), and after much deliberations and intense arguments, Babangida agreed to one side– NEC chairman Professor Nwosu– and ruled that the election should take place. However, shortly afterwards, the election announcement was soon stopped despite zero hostility.
“And then, on June 16, without my knowledge or prior approval, NEC Chairman, Professor Nwosu, announced the suspension of the June 12 election results ‘until further notice’. I knew instantly that certain fifth columnists were at work and that there was a need for extra care! And even after that suspension of the announcements of results, ABN obtained another ‘strange’ court order from Justice Saleh’s court in Abuja, stopping the release of the results of the elections,” he wrote.
Admission of Past Mistakes and Clarion Call for Leadership
In his book, Ibrahim Babangida speaks on his past mistakes and admits to his faults. He comes clean about the June 12 election and admits that though the annulment was done without his approval, he takes full responsibility for the action that transpired.
“Yes, during the stalemate that followed the termination of the results announcement, the possibility of annulment that could lead to fresh elections was loosely broached in passing. But annulment was only a component of a series of other options. But to suddenly have an announcement made without my authority was, to put it mildly, alarming. I remember saying: ‘These nefarious ‘inside’ forces opposed to the elections have outflanked me!’ I would later find out that the ‘forces’ led by General Sani Abacha annulled the elections. There and then, I knew I was caught between ‘a devil and the deep blue sea’!! From then on, the June 12 elections took on a painful twist for which, as I will show later, I regrettably take responsibility.”
In the book’s epilogue, Babangida addresses the Nigerian Youths, speaking about their place in the future of the country and them inheriting leadership from the older generation.
“The emergence of a new youth majority is the most significant event of our lifetime. Today, Nigeria is one of the youngest nations on earth, with a youth population of 151 million, about 70 per cent of our population,” He narrates in his book.During the book launch aired on Channels Television, Babangida gave a record of what transpired and admitted that despite having deep regrets about how the election went and the mistakes he made, he commends the country on moving forward and maintaining democracy. He went on to pay respect to individuals like Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Doctor Tunji Olagunju, Doctor Kalu Ndidkalu, Professor Tam David-West, and many more.
Despite receiving loud applause from many in attendance, others like former presidential candidate Omoleye Sowore were not so impressed. In a post on X, the former presidential candidate expressed his concern.
“I just read somewhere that tooth gapped General Ibrahim Badmosi Babangida (IBB) is planning to launch a book titled: “A Journey In Service” let’s make it clear that any book written by the fraudster that doesn’t confess to his assassination of journalist, Dele Giwa; the murder of Mamman Vatsa, a truthful account of the annulment of June 12 1993 elections, the plane crash that wiped off middle level Army officers at Ejigbo, the theft of $12.5 billion gulf oil windfall, the suspicious deaths of many Nigerians under his regime, the unprecedented conspiracy that ruined the Nigerian economy under his watch,” Sowore stated. He also noted that IBB’s book didn’t get to the root of the issue and further demanded that he reveal his fellow co-conspirators.
Following the mention of Sani Abacha in his book, children of the late general have come out to defend their father. In a statement on Vanguard, Abacha’s son, Sadiq Abacha, said, “The man Abacha—you have always been the one they envied with silent deceit. History shall remember you for being a better leader, no matter how much they try to put you down.As a son, I am most proud of you today. You indeed are the man they wish they were half of,” he wrote.
The book was well received by some Nigerians; however, many have shared contrasting views and opinions on many of the revelations the book provided.
On X @Orji_Okosisi1 says: “IBB, had in his book, corroborated what Ojukwu said in this interview that, the intention of the coup plotters was to release Awolowo from prison, & make him Prime Minister, & that it was NO Igbo coup. I hope this will now put the false narrative to rest.”
@ifesalakooffice says: “I mean, Tinubu sat next to IBB while celebrating a book in which IBB declared MKO won the 1993 election which he annulled.This annulment by IBB led to the death of MKO and the cold murder of Kudirat Abiola. Yet, Tinubu sat there to celebrate. No principle. No ideology…”
Artiste and son of popular Nigeria singer and activist, Fela Kuti, also had a lot to say on the release of IBB’s book and those in attendance. In a recently released video on X, Seun Kuti spoke about how those in attendance paid homage to the former president and could not hold claim to their “self-made” narrative.
Since it’s launch, “A Journey in Service” has had many people from different demographics leanings on opposite sides of the coin. Is this the unadulterated truth of what actually happened, or is the former president trying to pin his past actions on dead co-conspirators? Has IBB finally been exonerated from all his past crimes? This question remains in the jury of public opinion; if anything, the former military President has told his own side of the story.
