Three Generals Who Ruled Nigeria: General Ibrahim Babangida's Regime!

Sequel to our Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014, edition on Rt. General Muhammadu Buhari's administration, we bring you the account of Rt. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida's (IBB) regime.

General Ibrahim Babangida was thought a God - sent when he overthrew the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari military administration on 27 August, 1985, he was received with opened arms by the Nigerian media and sundry.

General Ibrahim Babangida freed all political prisoners, including the two jailed Guardian journalists, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor, repealed decree 4, loosened all constraints the Buhari administration placed on civil societies and the media in his inaugural address to Nigerians:

..."We do not intend to lead a country where individuals are afraid of expressing themselves, the Public Officers protection Against False Accusation Decree No 4 is hereby repealed. And, finally, those who have been in detention under this decree are hereby unconditionally released. The responsibility of the media to disseminate information shall be exercised without undue hindrance".  

In a clever bid to bring key groups and institutions to his side, General Babangida made Presidents of the Nigerian Bar Association Attorney generals, donated a reported sum of N10m to several organizations and reportedly purchased 3000 Peugeot cars to officers of the Nigerian Army. 

In this regime sometimes refereed to as the "chop -I-chop" government, it was believed that one would walk into the government house poor, and come out rich; so long you are willing to "play ball". After-all, its in the best interest of "moving the nation forward".

'Return to Civil Rule', Inauguration of Political Bureau, and Conduct of National Census were according to reports, major programs listed by the Babangida administration.  

In 1990, the administration approved the Mass Communication policy for the nation, a product of the 1986 Badagry Conference, which attracted every one that matters in the Nigerian Media. Nigerians applauded these programs which appeared to be an answer to the challenges that bothered the nation at the time. 

It was under the Ibrahim Babangida regime that the Nigerian media was deregulated in 1992, by granting licence to the first set of private broadcast organisations. 

This government/media romance was notwithstanding short-lived as one of Nigeria's prominent journalists Dele Giwa, was killed on 19 October, 1986, two days after he was interviewed by some officials of the Nigerian State Security Services, via a bomb wrapped in a parcel (letter-bomb), reportedly addressed as "From the Presidency", as he was at breakfast with his son and his London Bureau Chief, Kayode Soyinka. 

Newswatch magazine, founded by the late Dele Giwa was banned from circulation through the 1987 'Proscription and Prohibition from Circulation Decree', after it reported findings from the Political Bureau. Assumed reason for this action was that Newswatch might have acted too fast, as the government had not worked on the findings.  

Then came the Newspaper Registration Decree 43, of 1993, which demanded that existing newspapers renew their licences on yearly bases, as a result newspaper titles were proscribed. 

A major tact by this administration was attack on major institutions, a strategy believably to weaken their bites.

Retreating on his 1985 median speech, General Ibrahim Babangida's administration saw to the the banning of about 44 News publications, printing and circulation of what was thought to be flawed news of popular Magazines and Newspapers, and the imprisonment of about 60 Nigerian Journalists whose offences ranged from disseminating their constitutional 'watch dog' duty with pens as their only weapon. 

The masses were not spared, as the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), an austerity measure imposed when Nigeria blatantly declined IMF's $2.4billion loan conditionalities bit deep into the economic strength of Nigerians.

Policies under this program entailed the privatisation of public enterprises, deregulation of the agricultural sector by abolishing marketing boards and the elimination of price controls, the devaluation of the Nigerian currency to aid competitiveness of the export sector.  Restraints put in place by the Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obansanjo's military administrations on Foreign Investments in 70s was relaxed, resulting in the downsize of living standards of Nigerians. 

The Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)  program was not without its good sides. It was reported, that as anticipated from the blue print, the Nigerian economy was boosted, the export sector equally performed exceptionally. 

Howbeit with dwindling real wages in the public sector and urban classes, coupled with a huge reduction in expenditure on public services, demonstrations ensued, resulting in the end of the SAP program. 

History has it that during this regime issues were subjected to public debate, but the extent to which final recommendations was enacted was a mirage, leading to lack of trust in governments and their policies. 

Climax of these activities was the failure to lead the nation to a democratically elected government, after the annulment of the acclaimed June 12 free and fair presidential election, won by late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. An interim government headed by Enerst Shonekan considered to be an elongation of the Ibramhim Babangida administration was set up instead. 

Civil society groups and the Media again called on the military and particularly on General Sani Abacha to intervene.

About seven years after IBB's exit from office, the 1999 Oputa Panel Report on Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission, set up to investigate crimes committed by past administrations, and seek ways for possible true reconciliation, concluded that: 

"On General Ibrahim Babangida, we are of the view that there is evidence to suggest that he and the two security chiefs, Brigadier General Halilu Akilu and Col. A. K. Togun are accountable for the death of Dele Giwa by letter bomb. We recommend that this case be re-opened for further investigation in the public interest." 

Ibrahim Babangida ignored summons to appear before the panel to answer to allegations of Humans Rights abuses brought against his regime. He instead reportedly questioned the legality of the commission and its power to summon him. He was howbeit represented by counsels, Mustapha Bashir Wali and Yahya Mahmoud.

To rest speculations surrounding his ambitions to run for the Presidency in a Democratic Nigeria, the now retired General on November 8, 2006, picked up a nomination form from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city. This action drew mixed reactions of supports and oppositions. 

Before PDP's Presidential primaries in December, 2006, the media reported that IBB withdrew his Presidential candidacy. The media also published a letter in-which Ibrahim Babangida was quoted as citing "moral dilemma" as his reason for withdrawing, and to pave way for the younger brother of the late Shehu Yar'Adua, Umaru Yar'adua, and General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, whom he regards as having close family ties with.

"So on personal moral grounds, I would rather allow these two gentlemen to continue their ambition in the PDP. I value many years of harmonious relationship,’’ he stated.

Four years on, Ibrahim Babangida on August 9, 2010, once more launched an official campaign website, where visitors could interact directly with him. His spokesperson announced that he would be seeking the nomination of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the office of the Presidency in the 2011 polls. Again, his withdrawal via a "Presidential race letter", addressed to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo read:

“This letter submits for the kind consideration and approval of the National Working Committee of our great party – the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP), a request to withdraw from all the processes leading to and including the PDP Primary elections scheduled for 13th January, 2011.

“You will recall that in September, 2010, I had collected, completed and submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Guidelines set out by the party"....

“As a consequence of the Consensus arrangement to which I voluntarily and willingly subscribed, I write to inform you of my decision to withdraw forthwith from all the processes leading to the selection and emergence of our Party’s Presidential flag bearer"...

“Whilst extending my highest regards to your good selves and the Party, I wish to convey my gratitude to the Party for the opportunity given me to express my interest in the first place”. 

After these attempts in Politics, nothing much has been heard about rtd General Ibrahim Babangida, whom many Nigerians love to refer to as "Maradona".

Find links to General Sanni Abacha and Major General Muhammadu Buhari's Regime below: 

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2015/01/three-generals-who-ruled-nigeria.html

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2014/12/three-generals-who-ruled-nigeria-buhari.html