News
IBB’s Memoir Exposes Crisis That Led to Buhari’s Overthrow
- Former military President, Ibrahim Babangida Reveals Why Buhari was Removed in 1985
- Says His Policies Were Draconian and Divisive
- Adds It was Causing Serious Uproar Among Nigerians and the Military
Forty years after the removal of General Muhammadu Buhari from power, former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida has given a detailed account of the reasons behind the coup that ended Buhari’s leadership.
- EDITOR’S PICK
- 2025: A Glimmer of Hope Nigeria?
- Trapped in Fear Nigerians Cry Out Over Deportation Policy
- Opeifa: The Railway Man
In his new book, A Journey in Service, Babangida explained that the decision to remove Buhari was not taken lightly but was necessary to prevent Nigeria from further decline.
He described the situation at the time as dangerous, with the nation facing serious economic hardships and political instability.
According to him, the military government that came into power in 1983 had lost its way, and instead of solving Nigeria’s problems, it had worsened them.
Babangida noted that by early 1985, many Nigerians had become deeply concerned about the future of the country.
The atmosphere in the nation was tense, and there were fears that the military itself was becoming divided. The unity that had once existed among the armed forces was disappearing, replaced by disagreements and factional interests.
He explained that the original goal of the 1983 coup, which was to rescue the nation from bad governance, had failed. Instead of improving governance, the government had created more fear and uncertainty among the people.
The economy was in crisis, and living conditions were worsening daily. Essential goods and basic supplies were becoming scarce, and people were struggling to survive.
The government’s strict control of the economy, along with its rigid policies, made things even harder for businesses and ordinary citizens.
Babangida further revealed that Buhari and his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, had isolated themselves from the rest of the military leadership and had become authoritarian in their approach to governance. Instead of consulting with other military leaders, they made decisions on their own, which led to growing resentment within the armed forces.
Their leadership style was seen as too rigid and disconnected from the realities of the people. The administration had introduced a number of harsh laws, and fundamental human rights were being violated. People were being arrested and detained indefinitely, often for minor offenses.
Many were thrown into prison without fair trials, and the general public lived in fear of the government. The military, which was supposed to serve as an institution of national unity, was being turned into a tool of oppression.
Within the armed forces, dissatisfaction was growing rapidly.
Many officers felt that they were being sidelined, and their opinions no longer mattered in decision-making. Babangida recalled that some senior officers had been dismissed unfairly without following proper military procedures.
These decisions were made without consulting the Army Council, which was supposed to handle such matters. As the Chief of Army Staff at the time, Babangida found himself under immense pressure from both senior and junior officers who felt that the government had lost its way. They believed that if nothing was done, both the military and the nation would be in serious danger.
Babangida himself faced challenges within the government. He stated that he was placed under surveillance, and his private communications, as well as those of his family, were constantly monitored.
This tense atmosphere led him and other senior officers to conclude that the only way to save Nigeria was to remove Buhari from power.
After extensive discussions and planning, a group of senior and middle-ranking officers agreed that a change in leadership was necessary.
On the night of August 26, 1985, the coup was carried out successfully without any bloodshed. Buhari was removed from office, and Babangida was flown from Minna to Lagos to take over leadership of the country. Reflecting on that day, Babangida said he was fully aware of the enormous responsibility that had been placed on his shoulders.
As he arrived in Lagos, he was received by a group of military officers who escorted him to Bonny Camp, from where his leadership of the nation would be announced.
That evening, the country was informed of the change in government. Babangida explained that while it was a momentous occasion, he was also deeply aware of the many challenges that lay ahead.
He stated that he had no illusions about what needed to be done to move Nigeria forward.
Having been part of previous government changes, he had spent years consulting with people from different walks of life and had developed a clear understanding of what the people wanted. His administration’s goal was to end political instability and bring stability to the country.
He explained that his leadership was driven by a genuine desire to prevent Nigeria from falling into further crisis and that his decisions were based on the realities of the time.
Babangida also addressed the purpose of his memoir, saying that the book was not written to blame anyone or to justify everything that happened during his time in office.
- FURTHER READING
- Albinism Community Urges Action as Skin Cancer Cases Surge
- FG Extends palliative programme to Support Students, DCT Residents
- Adiyan Water Works Project 80% Completion Excites Sanwo-Olu
Instead, he wanted to provide an honest account of the decisions that were made and the reasons behind them.
He acknowledged that Nigeria is a country where people often judge events without fully understanding them, and he hoped that his book would give readers a clearer perspective on the events of 1985 and beyond.
- FURTHER READING
- Albinism Community Urges Action as Skin Cancer Cases Surge
- FG Extends palliative programme to Support Students, DCT Residents
- Adiyan Water Works Project 80% Completion Excites Sanwo-Olu
He acknowledged that Nigeria is a country where people often judge events without fully understanding them, and he hoped that his book would give readers a clearer perspective on the events of 1985 and beyond.
Click Here For Video of The Week
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at ekohotblog@gmail.com. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
