Former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB, has revealed that the late General Sani Abacha was one of his greatest challenges during his tenure. In his memoir, IBB admitted that Abacha had deep reservations about Nigeria’s transition to democracy, a stance that later shaped the nation’s political trajectory.
“Without question, one of my biggest headaches at this time was Sani Abacha. I knew that Abacha was ambivalent about a return to civil rule,” Babangida wrote, expressing his initial belief that Abacha would support the transition program.
Despite their long-standing friendship and Abacha’s crucial role in the 1985 coup that brought him to power, IBB described Abacha as a complex and unpredictable figure. “He was capable of bottling up a lot inside without giving a hint of where he was. And then, suddenly, the bottle bursts, and we begin to see a different person,” he recounted.
More strikingly, Babangida disclosed that Abacha and a select group within the military orchestrated a campaign to undermine his leadership, fueling opposition against him. He was equally stunned by Abacha’s strong personal disdain for Chief MKO Abiola, despite the outward appearance of cordial relations.
IBB’s revelations offer fresh insight into the power struggles that defined Nigeria’s military era, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that ultimately led to Abacha’s iron-fisted rule.
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