24/02/2025
Former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, in his book The Journey in Service, recounted his decision regarding the 1985 coup attempt involving his close friend, Mamman Vatsa. He justified Vatsa’s ex*****on by claiming, “They had planned a bloody coup which would have plunged the country into darkness. I had to choose between saving a friend’s life and the nation’s future.” His words painted a picture of a leader faced with a difficult moral dilemma—choosing between personal loyalty and national stability. However, history would later test his commitment to that same "nation's future."
In 1993, Babangida annulled the widely acclaimed free and fair presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola, plunging Nigeria into political turmoil. This decision, which many believe was influenced by military power struggles, contradicted his earlier stance on sacrificing for the country's greater good. He claimed that had he allowed the election results to stand, the late Gen. Sani Abacha would have orchestrated a coup that would have led to his own death and that of Abiola. This reasoning suggested that his personal survival outweighed the democratic will of the Nigerian people, raising questions about the sincerity of his leadership.
The annulment led to widespread protests, economic instability, and the eventual incarceration and tragic death of Abiola. The same Babangida who once claimed to have prioritized the nation’s stability over personal ties appeared to have done the opposite when faced with an even greater test. His decision not only set Nigeria back on its democratic journey but also cast a long shadow over his legacy, marking him as a leader who struggled with the very choices he once claimed were clear-cut.
'Segunsilva
President/Founder
Kreativemind Vision Xcel
