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Tag: IBB

  • 2023: IBB was referring to me when he listed qualities of Nigeria’s next president – Okupe

    2023: IBB was referring to me when he listed qualities of Nigeria’s next president – Okupe

    Doyin Okupe, an aide to former President, Goodluck Jonathan has said that he is the Presidential candidate former military ruler Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) talked about recently.

    Okupe said this on Friday during an interview on Arise TV.

    He stated that all the criteria spelled out by the former military leader fit his profile perfectly.

    Okupe said Babangida must have had him in mind when he was reeling out the qualities for the next Nigerian president.

    “I believe when IBB was making that speech, he was talking about me. I haven’t spoken with him in a long time, I agree with all his points.

    “I am part of the three individuals IBB was talking about. I am the most prepared person for the job.

    “There is nowhere in the country I don’t have contact,” Okupe said.

    Babangida, in days back during an interview, identified attributes of his ideal President in 2023.

    He said the next President must speak to the citizens, understand the nation’s economy and have friends in every region.

    Babangida said he has seen Nigerians who have the qualities and they are in their sixties.

  • IBB speaks on annulment of June 12 election, ‘Evil genius’, ‘Maradona’ nicknames

    IBB speaks on annulment of June 12 election, ‘Evil genius’, ‘Maradona’ nicknames

    Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has explained why his junta annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the election was adjuged by most Nigerians as the freest and fairest in the nation’s democratic experience.

    It was contested between Chief Moshood Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).

    Babangida, while speaking on a monitored Arise TV interview on Friday explained if he had not annulled the election, a violent coup d’etat would have happened.

    He said: “If it materialised, there would’ve been a coup d’etat — which could have been violent. That’s all I can confirm.

    “It didn’t happen thanks to the engineering and the ‘maradonic’ way we handled you guys in the society. But that could’ve given room for more instability in the country.”

    Babangida said there was pressure on his junta within and outside the military to nullify the election for that reason.

    “Both. The military can do it because they have the weapons to do it, and others (civil society groups) can use agitation,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) also explained how he was nicknamed “evil genius” and “Maradona”.

    He explained the nicknames were manufactured by the media because of his “deft political moves”.

    Babaginda said: “That’s the very good thing about the Nigerian media and Nigerian people, you have to anticipate them.

    “If you anticipate them then you live well with them. They call me ‘evil genius’, I marvel at that. The contradiction — you can’t be evil and then a genius”

    “The definition of Maradona I got from the media is because of deft political moves. That’s the way the media described it.”

  • Corruption in Nigeria worse under civilian administrations – IBB

    Corruption in Nigeria worse under civilian administrations – IBB

    Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has said that corruption in Nigeria is worse under civilian leaders than under military rulers.

    Babangida said this on Friday during a special interview to mark his 80th birthday anniversary on AriseNews television station.

    The former military ruler said people who steal public money under civilian administrations are on the streets walking free.

    He said during his time as military head of state, he sacked a governor for misappropriating less than N313,000, adding that military leaders are saints in that regard, compared to what is happening under the democratic dispensation.

    “Well on that, you can’t compare it with the facts on the ground now. You can say it. From what I read, from analysis, I think we are saints when compared to what is happening under a democratic dispensation.

    “I sacked a governor for misappropriating less than N313,000.

    “Today, those who have stolen billions and are in court are now parading themselves on the streets. Who else is better in fighting corruption?,” he asked.

    Gen Babangida popularly referred to as IBB, also blamed politicians for current disunity in the country.

    He said there was a time in the country when people held positions in regions outside their ethnicity, adding that the present crop of politicians are not serious about nation-building.

    “Till today, unfortunately, the political class are not really into this seriously and say how do we build a nation,” he stated.

  • Why Nigeria is not progressing – IBB

    Why Nigeria is not progressing – IBB

    Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), popularly known as IBB, has opened up on why Nigeria is not progressing.

    IBB said one of the reasons Nigeria is not progressing was because Nigerians no longer believed in the future of the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Babangida made this known on Friday in a televised exclusive interview monitored by this medium.

    Speaking on the state of the nation, Babangida said the nation is endowed with both human and natural resources, but identified bad leadership as a major reason for the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

    The former leader accused the Nigerian people of creating and at the same time, destroying their own country.

    Babangida stated that Nigeria’s next president should be in his 60s and that the person should be able to talk to Nigerians and be verse in economics.

    “If you get a good leadership that links with the people and tries to talk with the people; not talking on top of the people, then we would be okay.

    “I have started visualising a good Nigerian leader. That is, a person who travels across the country and has a friend virtually everywhere he travels to, and he knows at least one person that he can communicate with.

    “That is a person, who is very versed in economics and is also a good politician, who should be able to talk to Nigerians and so on.

    “I have seen one, or two or three of such persons already in his sixties. I believe so if we can get him.

    “I do believe in the future of Nigeria, but Nigerians don’t believe in the future of their country. They created and they destroyed,” he said.

    Speaking on corruption in the interview with Arise TV, Babangida said: “We are saints compared to those in power now”.

    The military leader said while he moved against a former military governor who embezzled N313,000, he said those who stole billions are currently walking freely.

    Asked if he agrees with those who said his government was very corrupt, Babangida said, “But what’s happening now is worse than when we were in power… we are saints when compared with that”.

    TNG reports IBB served as Nigeria’s Head of State between 1985 and 1993. Born in Niger State, he received military training in Nigeria, India, Great Britain, and the United States.

    He rose through the ranks and was known for his courage, having also played a major role in suppressing an attempted coup in 1976, when he walked into a rebel-held radio station unarmed.

    After Murtala Mohammed became the military head of state in 1975, Babangida joined his Supreme Military Council, and as military president after taking over power on August 27, 1985, he introduced economic policies such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), that altered the course of the nation and liberalise the economy.

    At 80 on the 17th, Babangida is one of the leaders like Muhammadu Buhari who have dominated Nigeria’s political space since 1966.

  • Babangida at 80 celebrations are in order – Dele Sobowale

    Babangida at 80 celebrations are in order – Dele Sobowale

    Dele Sobowale

    “The most uncharitable critic of IBB, after experiencing four other administrations (Shonekan, Abacha, Abubakar and now Obasanjo) readily concedes that but for the annulment of June 12, 1993, IBB would have been an untainted hero.” Double Chief Duro Onabule, Chief Press Secretary to IBB.

    (IBRAHIM B BABANGIDA (1985-1992): LETTING A THOUSAND FLOWERS BLOOM.

    To the governments with which we must compare the Babangida regime, we must now add Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and now, six years of President Buhari. While not asking for an answer to be made public; and, not now ready to offer any comparison myself, there is no doubt in my mind that anyone old enough to remember the situation in Nigeria from August 1985 to 1993 has reached his own conclusion. Journalism has already been recognised as the first rough draft of history. Those in the media in 1991, and even most of those there now in 2021,, might not realise that they were/are writing the history of their era.

    Perhaps, the assistance that I can give to those wanting to refresh their memories is to ask them to go to the National Library and request for copies od newspapers during that era. The differences in the front page news of 1991 and 2021 will be startling. I just went through the exercise myself. And I came across something astonishing, some of which was not included in the book mentioned above. The two together illustrate why those still judging Babangida only on the basis od June 12, 1993 election are ignorant of how history is written in enlightened societies. No individual leader or government is judged only on one issue – after spending eight years in office.

    VALUE ADDED TAX, VAT.

    “There are times when a leader must move ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way.”

    Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p 124.

    I was not an admirer of IBB when he was in office. But, I was also not a blind critic. I took my position based on what his government introduced. Some, to me were not good; others were incredibly so great, they were years ahead of the rest of the country. One such outstanding contribution to our country’s economic development was the value Added Tax, VAT. The vast majourity of the vocal elite were against it. I was one of a small minority who supported it. The media, then populated by economic illiterates and socialists was almost unanimous in its condemnation of VAT. Writing for VANGUARD on Monday at the time, I found myself crossing swords with more established columnists on VAT. I repeatedly told them that history would vindicate IBB for approving the proposal brought by Dr Kalu Idika Kalu – former Federal Minister of Finance.

    History has already given its verdict in favour of Babangida for having the courage to go against the wish of the vast majority of Nigerians and deciding in their interest. Today, VAT every month drops over N120 billion into the Federation Account for sharing among the three tiers of government. It is the largest single source of revenue for governments in Nigeria.The critics have been silenced for ever. I only wish they have the decency to say “Thank you”.

    STATES CREATED BY IBB ADMINISTRATION

    “Grace under pressure”. That was how Ernest Hemingway, 1891-1961, defined courage; which to me is the greatest of human attributes.

    Babangida had it in abundance. Most Nigerians have forgotten his heroic role in bringing Dimka’s coup to an abrupt end when he walked ito the premises of Radio Nigeria, unarmed, to confront a drunk bur armed Colonel Dimka. One false step and he would be dead; and the history of Nigeria would have been different. Earlier in his career, he had on the battle field risked his life to save his colleague Duba who was mortally wounded unless evacuated. Babangida, risking his own life volunteered to go and carry Duba. The two officers lived long enough to become Chief of Army Staff, CoAS. But, of all his acts of courage, to me, his most remarkable must have been increasing Nigerian States from 19 to 30 in a span of six years as military President. Perhaps it is divinely ordained that he will live to be 80 and to see the states in 1987 and 1991 celebrating their 34th and 30th anniversaries of state creation.

    State creation was not pioneered by IBB. It was started during the civilian government of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister of Nigeria until 1966. The coalition government he led, consisting of NPC and NCNC members had ganged up to create the Mid-Wes Region out of the Western Region in a bid to weaken Awolowo’s AG – which controlled the Western Region. General Gowon had created 12 states out of the foue he inherited at the end of the Civil War, 1967-1970. General Murtala Mohammed increased the number to 19. Bringing governments closer to the people was among the major objectives of IBB’s government. He was convinced that a more balanced devepolment would result from creating more states.

    He started tentatively by creating two – Akwa Ibom and Katsina states out of Cross River and Kaduna States respectively – in 1987. Then, right in the middle of the transition to civil rule, scheduled to start in 1992, he created the largest number of states by any national leader. The following is the list of states created by Babangida.

    1. Akwa Ibom — 1987
    2. Katsina — 1987
    3. Abia — 1991
    4. Adamawa — 1991
    5. Delta — 1991
    6. Edo — 1991
    7. Enugu — 1991
    8. Gombe — 1991
    9. Kogi — 1991
    10. Osun — 1991
    11. Taraba — 1991
    12. Yobe — 1991
    Obviously, anybody holding elective office in any of those states; or who has been appointed to lucrative positions on account of being an indigene of any of these states owes the good fortune partly to the creation of the state in 1987 and 1991. I strongly believe that these fortunate individuals, female and male, past and present owe IBB a sense of gratitude. They include governors, military and civilian, Ministers, Senators, Members of Federal House of Representatives, Speakers of States Houses of Assembly, Executive and non-Executive Directors of Parastatals and other Institutions, Justices, Commissioners, VCs of Universities, Registrars of Polytechnics and Principals of Unity Schools, Commissioners of Police etc. Each of them should remember that he might not have been there if the state was not created.

    INSTITUTIONS CREATED

    Since this is only an introduction to the series of articles on Babangida at 80, permit me to mention that IBB created more institutions than all the other national leaders put together. I will just mention some of them for now.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Decree 48 of 1989, given the more permanent pandemic of various types of harmful and illicit drugs ravaging our youths is one for which its author deserves, bot only our gratitude but, a national monument. Nigeria was largely a transit country for hard drugs when it was introduced. Many questioned the urgency or the need for it at the time. Enforcement was lacklustre for years after a visionary leader introduced it. Perhaps, if successive governments had taken the decree seriously Nigeria would noy now be at the risk of losing two generations of our young people to drugs. Our expected leaders of tomorrow are losers of today. It is quite possible that no family is spared the ordeal of dealing with drug addiction and its consequences. Few laws passed by any other government, before and after, has been as essential and beneficial to Nigeria.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Decree 45 of 1988 is another ageless decree; whose benefits are impossible to quantify. Only God knows how much higher road accident fatalities would have been with the “corpers”. Every life saved after horrible accidents is a testimony to uncommon leadership at the topmost level.

    Permit me to stop here for now.

    HOW TO JOIN THE CELEBRATION

    VANGUARD is committed to celebrating IBB; and I feel deeply honoured to lead the parade. To be candid, I would have considered this role impossible five years ago. But, research and the truths revealed to me make it inescapable for me to undertake it.

    Three ways are open for participating in this celebration.

    One you can publish an advert. Two, you can write a tribute or testimony. Three, you can request for invitation to a COVID-19 compliant lunch.

    All cash-backed adverts must be received by August 14, 2021. Babangida’s birthday comes up on August 17, 2021.

    All requests for lunch invitations and invitations will be concluded on August 19, 2021. the lunch is in Lagos and on August 22, 2021.

    Everything will end up in an album which will be delivered to Babangida. Copies will be made available to the IBB Library, Minna, VANGUARD Library and the National Library; as well as to those wanting them on request.

    For more details, please contact the following numbers: 0808-982-8929, 0906-378-7310, 0703-813-4844. If all else fail, call me 0708-137-2829 email: biolasobowale@yahoo.com.

    It was William Shakespeare who said, “I hate ingratitude in a man more than lying, vainness, babbling drunkenness..” VBQ p 103. I totally agree with him. And I believe there are thousands of Nigerians ready to wish President Babangida a Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns. I have booked my own full page colour advert for August 17, 2021. Join me if you can.

    I WAS IN NIGER STATE; SAW HORRORS

    Because it will be uncouth to be planning this project without informing Babangida, I travelled to Niger State and Minna to brief him. I was there for three days. Our appointments usually scheduled for afternoon time, it was opportunity for me to go into some rural areas around Zungeru, Dr NNamdi Azikiwe’s birth place and along Bidda-Minna highway. Niger being the state with the largest land mass; and a major food basket, what I saw was an eye-opener regarding the great famine Nigerians will experience this year and in 2022. It was horrible…..

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  • IBB’s son, Mohammed narrowly escapes death as three security aides die in convoy accident

    IBB’s son, Mohammed narrowly escapes death as three security aides die in convoy accident

    Mohammed Babangida, the son of former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, narrowly escaped death, on Monday evening, when one of the cars ran into a trailer loaded with tomatoes along the Minna-Suleja highway.

    According to reports, three of the security guards died in the accident after their black Toyota Prado had a head-on collision with the trailer traveling in the opposite direction.

    Mohammed, who was heading to Abuja after an engagement, was said to be in a Honda space bus, with other members of his family behind the security vehicle.

    Although no member of the Babangida family was hurt, three of the security personnel in the SUV died on the spot, while one was critically injured and currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    However, details of how the accident occurred were still sketchy, but eyewitness said the bad portion of the dual carriage highway at Mallam Karu village, where all vehicles divert to one lane was responsible for the head-on collision between the trailer and the convoy.

    Meanwhile, sympathisers have continued to troop into the UpHill Mansion of the former military president over the unfortunate development.

  • Insecurity: Give military modern weapons to fight – IBB advises Buhari

    Insecurity: Give military modern weapons to fight – IBB advises Buhari

    Former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, IBB, on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to equip the military with modern weapons to tackle insecurity.

    Babangida said the Federal Government should also train the military in the use of modern weapons.

    He stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa Services.

    According to Babangida: “Provide them with all they require and let them know this is their country, they’ve no other better than this.

    “They also need to be trained on how to use the modern weapons, not to get weapons and just hand them over to them. They should be trained.”

    The former leader also disclosed that he usually advised the Federal Government on ways to end insecurity.

    He said: ”We give advice, as we can, but we don’t make noise about it. We don’t announce that this is what we say.

    “We should unite, we should support those in power, we are all working towards achieving the same goal. Between the leaders and citizens, we need peace and a harmonious relationship.”

    Babangida further urged Nigerians to unite with the government in the fight against insecurity.

    “This problem of insecurity, every government has its experience but if we unite. I remember how we fought the civil war for 3 years, the people supported the government, the government did its best, bought what was necessary, those who fought were made to understand that this country is the best for them,” he said.

  • Why IBB annulled my schoolmate, MKO Abiola’s election in 1993 – Obasanjo

    Why IBB annulled my schoolmate, MKO Abiola’s election in 1993 – Obasanjo

    A Former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says ‘bad blood’ is the reason for the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election thought to have been won by late business mogul, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the election, regarded as the free and fairest in the nation’s history was annulled by then Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB).

    Obasanjo who described the late acclaimed winner of the election, Kashimawo Abiola as his school mate at the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, said the annulment robbed Egbaland, the rare opportunity to have three of its prominent sons, occupy the seat of the president, at different times.

    Obasanjo spoke on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital during his investiture as a Trustee of the Abeokuta Club, a sociocultural organisation of Egba people of Ogun State.

    The late business mogul was also awarded a posthumous Vice-Patron of the Club during its 46th President Party held at the secretariat in Abeokuta. According to Obasanjo Abiola richly deserved the award bestowed on him by the Abeokuta Club.

    Obasanjo who was apparently referring to former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan, himself who ruled Nigeria, first, as a military Head-of-State and later two-time civilian president, noted that Abiola would have become the third if the 1993 poll was not cancelled.

    “I want to thank Abeokuta club for this honour being bestowed on me and the honour being bestowed on my school mate MKO Abiola which he richly deserved,” Obasanjo stated.

    “Normally when you win a cup three times, you keep that cup. Isn’t it? If not for bad belle, Abeokuta would have produced President of Nigeria three times, in which case we should have kept it permanently.

    “But be that as it may, we have a great heritage and we should be proud of our heritage.”

    Obasanjo, however, pledged his commitment to the development of the Club, Ogun state, Nigeria and the world.

    “I want to say this, I will continue to contribute my quota to the development and growth of this club and by extension, the development and growth of Abeokuta, of Ogun State, of Nigeria, of African and indeed the of the world in whichever way I could,” the former president pledged.

  • Saraki-led PDP reconciliation committee in crucial meeting with IBB [Photos]

    Saraki-led PDP reconciliation committee in crucial meeting with IBB [Photos]

    The Reconciliation Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday paid a visit with former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida assuring him and other members of the party of the confidence of reconciling all aggrieved members of the party.

    The Committee which was led by former Governor of Kwara state and former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and had former Cross Rivers state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwabo, and former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema in the entourage.

    The Committee entered into a closed-door meeting with the former military president which lasted for an hour.

    Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, Senator Bukola Saraki said General Babangida was briefed about the steps taken by the committee so far in reconciling aggrieved individuals within the party.

    “We are here as members of the PDP Reconciliation and Strategic committee as part of our nationwide consultation with our leaders which we started at the beginning of the week.

    “We planned to start with former Presidents and founding Fathers of PDP. President Babangida is one of the founding fathers of PDP and someone we all respect.

    “We briefed him on the steps taken and efforts made in reconciliation in the party. We seek for his support, advice and guidance,” Saraki said.

    The former Senate President called on members of the PDP to have faith in the committee and their recommendations adding that they will not allow the recommendation to be tampered with.

    “The committee is committed and we are working to ensure our recommendation are kept. We won’t allow anyone to tamper with our recommendation. We will ensure that there are fairness and equity.”

    He assured the members of the PDP that the committee would do a job in reconciling members that they will be proud of.

  • IBB is a detribalised leader who commands political class’ respect – Gbagi

    IBB is a detribalised leader who commands political class’ respect – Gbagi

    Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has described ex-President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as a detribalised leader and elder-statesman whose name commands respect in Nigeria’s political class circle.
    Gbagi stated this in a statement released to the media on Monday to felicitate with the former President on his 79th birthday.
    Gbagi said the former President’s approach to leadership explains his overwhelming influence which continues to serve the interest of all sections of the country.
    The former minister recalled that Babangida, in his bid to ensure fairness to the diverse ethnic groups in the country, created a total of eleven (11) states under his leadership in 1987 and 1991, respectively.
    The statement reads: “I heartily felicitate with one of Nigeria’s finest leaders and elder-statesman, former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as he celebrates his 79th birthday today.
    “Without mincing words, his approach to leadership has always served the interest of all sections of the country.
    “Like we witnessed on 23rd September, 1987, Babangida created two states: Akwa Ibom State and Katsina State. Later, on 27 August 1991, he created nine more states: Abia, Enugu, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Osun, Kogi, Taraba and Yobe, bringing the total number of states in Nigeria to thirty in 1991.
    “If anyone must know, this was done at the time to address problems of inequality among the diverse ethnic groups in the country, most of which were in the minority.
    “The creation of the additional states became reprieve for the diverse ethnic groups in the country that lacked representation at the federal level, and quelled brewing ethnic dissent at the time.
    “On another vein, I recall his counsel when I paid a visit to him in 2007 at his Minna residence in the company of a former House of Representative member, late Hon. Austin Ogbaburon.
    “During our discussions, he told the former lawmaker to go to Delta State, which happens to be one of the nine states he created in 1991, to inform stakeholders that the State stands to experience a turnaround if I am made Governor.
    “I also recall how he honoured my invitation to Delta State on May 15, 2004, for the burial ceremony of my traditional father, the third Orodje of Okpe kingdom, HRM Orhoro I.
    “Indeed, former President Babangida is a rare elder-statesman whose name commands respect and attention in the circle of Nigeria’s political elite. I wish him more years in good health as he continues to serve the country,” Gbagi said.