Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, IBB, a former military Head of State, has given an insight into why the toppled the regime of Muhammadu Buhari.
Babangida said he overthrew Buhari’s regime because he was dissatisfied with the former military ruler’s policies and leadership styles.
He was Buhari’s Chief of Staff when the latter overthrew former civilian president, Shehu Shagari in the December 31, 1983 coup.
On August 27, 1985, Buhari’s regime was overthrown by Babangida in a coup d’etat.
However, in his autobiography, ‘A Journey In Service’, launched in Abuja on Thursday, IBB explained that Buhari’s then policies “were detrimental to the nation’s progress” and his dissatisfaction “eventually led to its ouster in 1985.”
He wrote: “After the military coup that replaced the civilian government of Shehu Shagari with a military regime led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida assumed the role of Chief of Army Staff.
“However, he became increasingly dissatisfied with the Buhari government’s policies and leadership style, which he believed were detrimental to the nation’s progress.
“This dissatisfaction eventually led to its ouster in 1985, and he took office as the military President.”
Nonetheless Babangida is satisfied that Buhari acknowledged that MKO Abiola won the June 12 election. According to Ibrahim B. Babangida, “I was pleased when the Buhari administration finally recognised the Late M.K.O Abiola as a former head of state because he won the June 12, 1993 Presidential election & I want to thank Nigerians for giving me the opportunity to conduct the freest and fairest election in history.”
Read also:
‘Why I Overthrew General Muhammadu Buhari’ – Ibrahim Babangida (video)