What aileth thee, IBB?

Recently, the social media was awash with news of phantom death of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, a former military president of Niger State origin.

The false news was so strong that the authors even went as far as talking about a burial arrangement to be made public by members of the family. But what is very true is that the gap-toothed General is infirmed and was away in Germany where medical doctors battled to cure him of his ailment.

Following the unfortunate reports online that went viral, IBB was ferried back home to prove to the Nigerian “Thomases” that “Umoru” (according to President Olusegun Obasanjo) was hale and hearty. Upon his return, the man, who annulled the June 12, 1993 election believed to have been won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, spoke to journalists to put a lie to the reports.

Incidentally, these were happening at a time when the pro-June 12 advocates were busy remembering the dark days of IBB as it pertains to the annulment.

Twenty-three years after the annulment of an election described as the fairest and freest in the history of Nigeria, and 18 years after the death of MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of that election, the architect of the chains of crises was being rumored dead.

Observers say it is a classic confirmation that all things done under the sun is vanity upon vanity.

Indeed, the story of the Nigerian politics will never be complete without any mention of the roles played by Babangida. His roles in both the failed and successful coups; his annulment exercise, the big names he threw up on the political scene; those who served with him either as military persons or civilians, and many more.

We still remember such names as General Domkat Bali, General Joshua Dogonyaro; General Murtala Nyako, General John Shagaya, General Gado Nasko, General Mamman Kontagora, Dasuki Sambo, Mamman Vasta, etc; the mention of these names in those days when they bestrode the corridors gave many Nigerian goose pimples. The man was nicknamed Maradona for his dribbling tactics over his too many failed promises to return Nigeria to civil rule. But like him or hate him, IBB is an enigma and has remained an idol of sort to many.

Time, they say, heals every wound. At the time IBB stepped aside in August 27, 1993, many people thought he would never in his life anymore visit the South-West, the geo-political zone where MKO Abiola hailed from. At that time, the OPC and other socio-political groups in the region had declared IBB a persona non-grata in any state in the South-West. But along the line, threat was relaxed and the man has continued to fraternise with the high and mighty in the entire south, including the Yoruba nation. He is known to have mended fences with some members of the Abiola family. IBB, according to those who are close to him, is a likeable fellow; hence, he is loved and adored by many people across the country, particularly those whose lives were positively touched by the Prince of the Niger, when the power of life and death (so to speak) in Nigeria rested on his shoulders.

Today, he is ageing gracefully at close to 75. He is still a rallying point to many political leaders in the country. On the issue of June 12 annulment, a good number of people believe that IBB’s action was divine, whatever that means.

However, several attempts by Babangida to launder his public image in a bid to step back into Nigeria’s political arena have suffered repeated flops, as there are many Nigerians who are yet to forgive him over the trauma he led them into.

It would be recalled that seven years after the annulment, IBB was reported to have said: “People keep asking me about it in spite of enough answers I have given. But you will find out that it is just a group of people who feel aggrieved by the annulment of the June 12 presidential election. If it were not for the annulment, what would have been their positions today? June 12 has served as a key to open the door for many Nigerians in positions of authority today. These beneficiaries of June 12 annulments are not being fair to me. There are only two dogged fighters for June 12 in Nigeria. They are mere sycophants who have fed fat on June 12.”

 The former military president was also quoted at a point to have said, on his speculated presidential ambition, that, “in the first place, if God ordains one for something, nobody can stop it. Likewise, if God says no, even if the whole world teams up, it will not change the situation. Therefore, I am leaving everything to God to determine my political future.”