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Is IBB Really Evil? By Abubakar Adamu, MSc, MCILT. England, UK.
The mention of the name, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (aka IBB) conjures many different emotions among Nigerians and probably all those with interests in Nigeria Politics. I write this piece in response to an article I read recently on the a website by Babs Ajayi where he made some caricatures of IBB’s life and Military/Political career. Mr. Ajayi’s article titled “The dialogue the Prince could not avoid nor annual” (nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/babsajayi/082205.htm) Babs Ajayi write from Toronto, Canada. The rhetorical question, I asked, Is IBB really evil? Or are his political opponents given him the label to discredit him to their advantage – or as the English people would say, give a dog a bad name to hang him/her.
IBB’s name can have different effects on different people. Some gets to the point of ecstasy and feel they can fly with joy and excitement. Others hearing IBB name may get to the point of depression and feel suicidal. It therefore seems to me, no one is indifferent to the name IBB in Nigeria Politics or indeed those with interests in Nigeria affairs. IBB is an enigma of Nigeria Politics, whether or not he is in Office. However, those emotions can be translated into good or bad for a leadership development. A leader can develop into good or bad depending on how his or her lieutenants channel their allegiance. Hausa people have a saying, “Ba’a banza Sarki, sai da banzan Wazirai” roughly translated as “A useless leader is judge by the company or advisers he keeps”
Nigeria has had many governments of similitude administration to IBB’s regime, why is IBB as an individual choosing as a figure of reverence/admiration or in equal terms ridicule/hates? There are those who will do anything in IBB name, some not because they truly or totally shares his political vision or are more patriotic about Nigeria than anyone else, they merely want to achieve their hidden agenda. For those who hate IBB they also have their hidden agenda to destroy the Man to make way for themselves or their surrogates. That is the true nature of Nigeria Politics, personality cultism. Or how else can one Man alone bear the responsibility of a failing nation? Where is the principle of collective responsibility in nation building?
There are no passionate debate about the issues that matters to the people and the Country. People are more interested in speculations and exaggerations, those Coffee Shops and Market Places talks (quoting Obasanjo). I have the utmost respect for people like Gani Fawehinmi who campaigns tirelessly for Justice and Human Right in Nigeria. He not only uses his intellect but also uses his material wealth to develop progressive minds by awarding training and Scholarship to others. Gani is consistent and truthful to his cause unlike some other Cameleons who changes beliefs as many times as my friend Joe drinks palm-wine and Burukutu.
I am in no way stopping anyone from criticising IBB or any leader for that matter but let us be civil and not personal abuses and insults. My Igbo people say, “Monkey no fine but in Mama like am” We should criticise people with decorum for them to see the point of criticism to change for good and not to harden their hearts. “Satire is the mark of a healthy democracy, the pricking of pomposity that reminds our leaders that they are not self-anointed” (Ben Macintyre of the UK, The Times, 26/08/05, p.24) or God-sent. For example, President Sadam Hussein of Iraq was unable to sustain power because he abused his people, he is now the laughing stock of the ordinary Iraqi people he once oppressed and many would like to kick his butts, as the American would say. I gain some sanity from reading Dr. Reuben Abati of Guardian articles. Because, his point of views are easy to understand, civilise and with humours. He does not want to force agreement with his view on the reader but with powerful argument. But others will shouts, abuse, talk rubbish and kicks as if they and only they alone have the gospel of truth about Nigeria. What one write or say is ones point of view as one sees it, there is other side to or against ones point of view – no one has the monopoly to the truth.
I read somewhere that, President Olusegun Obasanjo has challenged and throw down the gauntlet to Nigerians to prove whether or not he is corrupt, there is yet one taker. Bear a witness, soon after his tenures of Office people may come up with all sorts of speculations, why not take the bait now and become a Nigeria Hero, if you have the a case or evidence? Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the anti-corruption Tsar is given free authority to investigate anyone in the Country for corruption, all Nigerians at Home and abroad should be going Ha-li-lu-ya!!!!!!!!!!! And organising Millions marches in support of the initiatives. Nigerians being Nigerians are cynical without given the programme a chance to develops and are already saying it is selective and some people are untouchable. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has incorruptible pedigree and come from the respected Northern elite and ruling class, he is no a Pushover. Does anyone think the former Inspector General of Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Tafa Balogun can be arrested and arraigned before a Court a joke? Mr. Balogun is not a small fish within his Yoruba clan or unimportant person within his village. There are good Nigerians who wish to see change but unfortunately many Nigerians are not given them encouragement and supports. We rather mourn but deep down in many hearts, preferred the status quo to short circuits our growth and development through corruption and inefficiency. Nigerians are waiting for a ‘Messiah’ to save the Country, we ALL are the ‘Messiahs’ if we only know the strength of working together as a Nation. The artificial differences we created for ourselves are hindrance to development and progress; there are numerous demands for self-determination because there is no coherent structure or dedicated leaderships to engineering positive change and fairness. If we have more of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Gani Fawehinmi, Professor Dora Akunyili (DG, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC), Mallam Nasir el’Rufai, NLC Leader Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and many others, Nigeria can turnaround its decays. Those guys are there to serve their Country not trying to make name for their tribes, religion, region or special interests.
But Nigerians are in self-denial. We rather blame someone else for our cumulative problems than ourselves. We blame the Western Countries for imposing leaders on us or support them. If that is the case, the West has now seen the futility of supporting a Dictator on its people. Mr. Sadam Hussein has not paid the Americans/others back in kind for their supports of his regime in the past with lost of thousands sons and daughters of Americans/alliance and Iraqis. The new initiatives now are trade with the New Emerging Economies of developing Countries. It is left to the leadership to have proper negotiation that may be beneficial to their Country and not to collect bribe and mortgage their Country future – aid relief or cancellation is not the only option. We are so used to blame-culture that no much is achieved and few take responsibility seriously. Therefore, IBB as one individual cannot be the cause of all Nigeria ills and problems; we can debate about the conduct of his government. I am sure there were some positive things done under IBB regime and some not so positive things, no one government or an individual can solve all Nigeria’s problems, it must evolves and collective responsibilities.
IBB is a Nigerian, Nigeria born and nurtures him. IBB is not the Son of Prince Jagede Oshikwaya, IBB is not the Son of the Dantata dynasty, IBB hold no Degrees from Oxbridge (like Dim, Odumegu Ojukwu) but come from ordinary family background to ascend to Middle-Class as many Nigerians. IBB made his ways in Military and Politics; this should be a model for many underprivileged people rather than an achievement to be looking down upon. I belief IBB has not claim a Sainthood, he will have his good and flaws, so are many of us. In the Holy Bible, Jesus said, he who is without sin let him caste the first stone (John 8:3). People should be encourage and support to do well and discourage to do bad things. If anyone wishes to read Politics and Administration of IBB, go to Max Gbanite on kwenu.com/publications/max/2005/ibb_vindicated.htm and Muhammed Haruna on gamji.com/haruna92.htm – “Soyinka, Babangida, and June 12”.
In my opinion, IBB has becomes the target of political punch-bag because of Snobbery and Class system in Nigeria. Babs Ajayi put some questions in his caricatures of IBB: “You’ve been a Soldier all your life” I wish Ajayi look up the history of Canada’s neighbour USA, they had General Alexander Haig among the most decorated Military and Civilian figure in America History; and “Do you have the educational qualification required? What is that all about? The United Kingdom as one of the most advanced and evolving democracy in the World, they had Mr. John Major as Prime Minister, it was said he left School with less paper qualifications but achieved one of the highest office in the land because of his dedication and love for his Country. What qualification do you require to be a Nigeria President? Dr Babs Ajayi, PhD?
I am not against people with Degrees or plenty paper qualifications (I have a box full of them). Degree or Paper qualification is not a complete measure of wisdom and commonsense. Chief Zeburdaya aka 4.30 will rebuke me for saying commonsense because, “Commonsense are no common”, as Clarus and Senior House-Boy have less of them. The debacles and shenanigan in Anambra State tells one that education and degrees has not helped my people in Anambra. Two Sons of the soil, Dr. Chris Ngige and Chief Chris Uba decided to hold their private fights public and hold a State to ransom for years. What has the educated Class and elite does to resolve the issues in Anambra?
In Igbo land, elders are respected and I expect some to intervene but they were probably too busy collecting money from both camps to do anything honourable. The only voice of reason I heard was from Professor Chinua Achebe lamenting the crisis in his Home State. Babs Ajayi, do not tell me about qualification or asking if IBB has the required qualification, for what? I am told Anambra State has one of the most ‘educated’ per household in Nigeria, has their ‘educated classes’ helps our people in Anambra? Who suffers from lack of government programme because there is no government because Ngige was too engaged in palaver with his broda Uba? I have met people with less or no qualification but gained immense learning and wisdom from them than those with highly inflated and pompous qualifications and titles.
In Nigeria, some people think because they acquired certain education or come from some background, they are superior to others and deserve all the good things in life. We lack respect and appreciation of others achievements because of prejudices of tribal, religion, region or caste. I sense that there is a general lack of appreciation and respect from certain group or groups for our Men and Women in the Security services (including those in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force, Secret Services or even Mai-gadi) I have learnt in my Political Science studies that, the Security forces is part of an “Axis of Power” in any nation. In other word, the security apparatus is part of the foundation of building a sustainable society. The contribution of British Commander, Horation Nelson, 1758-1805) in his naval conquest is not lost in the history of Britain development. If a Man or Woman serves in the services all his or her life, some people wishes to sniff at. Because they think that is not part of education and belief education is only through University and some inflated and exaggerated degrees. I have met some highly intelligent security service people who have the discipline and cohesion to manage people and situation than some combined MSc/PhD holders.
By the way the Presidency is not vacant yet, why speculate now who will or will not be the next President? Nigerians political logic is hard to comprehend. The Political parties have not yet had their convention to select a candidate, but winners and losers have already been declared. Democratic process does not evolve that way. Those who rig election or appointed by individual or group to rule will surely fail and not earn respect of their people. The history will forget them as soon as they finished their regime.
The accolade of IBB as an evil-genius’ is unfortunate and not praiseworthy because one cannot say those words in one breath. It is either evil or genius, only the Devil holds the title and rank of evil, according to Bible and Qur’an. For the 2007 Presidential ambition or not of IBB, all Nigerians can contest unless disfranchised by the law, why should IBB be excluded? If IBB wishes to contest for 2007, no OPC, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Arewa Forum or Afenifere can stop him because it is not in their gift to give anyone political office in a democracy. The Party choose their candidate to compete and voters decide who will be, 2007 President.
Abubakar Adamu is a Transport Logistician and Freelance Researcher.
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