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At 76, IBB Sustains His Essential Rhythm
The month of August is special to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). It was on the seventeenth of the month in 1941 that he was born in the dusty town of Minna. He assumed presidential power on August 27, 1985 and stepped aside on August 27, 1993, after spending eight years in the saddle. So, essentially, the eighth month in the calendar holds a great deal of attraction and significance for his admirers in the contemplation and celebration of the IBB persona.
By stepping aside amid the ballyhoo that greeted the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, IBB cleverly negotiated his survival against so many forces which engaged him in supremacy battles. For instance, with the support of a carefully selected crop of academics and brilliant minds, he survived the dialectics and polemics of intellectual interrogations of the contents of his transition programme from the wider community of the nation’s anti-military eggheads.
IBB also surmounted the political confrontations by the old guard of barely principled politicians, who piled pressure on him to surrender power to civil authority, as well as the tangible strain by his own military constituency, which was ready to explore the coup option as a last resort to bring his regime to a terminus.
In the peak of the commotion, the army general who survived a bloody coup masterminded by Major Gideon Orkar, decided to stop the seeming unending mesmerisation of the polity, characterised by continuous shifts of and adjustments in the transition timetable. In the face of obvious loss of popular support and national goodwill, the famed Maradona of Nigeria’s political landscape, threw in the towel, emplaced an Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan and retreated to his Hilltop mansion in Minna.
Since 1993, the avuncular IBB has ministered to his loyalists and cult of followership from the mythical Hilltop mansion, which, at an intersection, typified a safe haven – a sanctuary of protection – for his followers against all manner of onslaughts by successive administrations and officialdoms. But that myth was shattered in 2006 when the then president, General Olusegun Obasanjo, unleashed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on IBB’s first son, Mohammed, for his alleged 24 percent shareholding in Globacom under the chair of Otunba Mike Adenuga.
The melodrama of Mohammed’s invitation by the EFCC happened about the eve of IBB’s 65th birthday in 2006. It was also a prelude to the widespread agitation by IBB’s followers to have him join the race for the presidency in 2007. Between hunting down Adenuga, who is believed to be a trusted business ally of IBB and Mohammed, IBB’s son, was IBB himself who, although was untouched, got the message that he should not attempt to vie for the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other party’s platform for that matter.
Since that incident, which saw IBB withdraw his interest after picking the expression of interest form, he has remained a kingmaker with a perceptive oracular divination. His influence in shaping the direction of leadership and governance has not been diminished by the reality of the socio-economic and political condition that served as an endgame to his regime in 1993.
Indeed, the political ferment that culminated in the anti-climax of his historic egress is an inalienable part of the corpus of knowledge that underpins the nation’s ill-fated Third Republic, over which his regime superintended. Notwithstanding, he chose to be his own prophet, declaring that he was stepping aside. The simple deduction from his “step aside” agreement was that he would or could return to power some day. He actually tried but his prophecy did not come to fruition.
The year 2007 marked a dramatic retreat by IBB into his shell. It was a denouement of sorts. There were views in political circles that the political razzmatazz (of announcing his interest in the presidency and picking the PDP expression of interest form) was his last. Validation: in 2007, he was 66 years. That was the year the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua emerged as president of Nigeria and succeeded Obasanjo.
But, surprisingly, in 2010, following the death of Yar’Adua, he was one of the northern aspirants shortlisted by some northern leaders for the choice of a consensus candidate that would be supported by the north in the PDP presidential primary. But Atiku Abubakar, the consensus choice of the northern elders, could not stop Goodluck Jonathan from picking the PDP ticket for the 2011 presidential election.
Despite his quiet, intense craving for the presidency, there were reports that IBB did not give the 2010 quest his best push like Atiku. IBB understands the efficacy of support by the federal government in the contestation for and wresting of presidential power from an incumbent president who knows his onions.
But then, how did the Maradona of Nigerian politics get stuck in the mud of his own political calculations (or is it miscalculations)? With his awesome influence and stranglehold on the mechanics of control of successive military governments after his, IBB had been largely, for instance, instrumental to the emergence of Obasanjo as president in 1999.
In 2003, IBB associates’ claim that he allowed Obasanjo to seek a second term in office was understandable. But in 2007, opposition to his presidential aspiration came from Obasanjo. As a passionate and strategic power player, he would have entered the race if he had the support of Obasanjo’s presidency. But because he did not secure the critical support, he decided to withdraw from the race.
In his letter of withdrawal from the race which he sent to Obasanjo, he said he was taking that step because of the moral dilemma occasioned by the entry of General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Umar Yar’ Adua both of whom he described as a friend and a younger brother respectively into the race.
There is no doubt that IBB, as an Army General, knows when to advance and when to retreat in the battlefield. A master of his political environment, he is used to having things working or worked out as planned. His decision to step aside from office on August 27, 1993 was hard but expedient. It was a personal sacrifice he had to make in the interest of peace, stability and unity of the nation.
Perhaps, after the 1993 experience, he considered and still considers no sacrifice too difficult to make. This must have been at the bottom of his resolve to quietly ease out of the race without embracing the idea of confronting Obasanjo in a witty and gritty succession battle.
This has been his disposition thus far. Even at the present moment, the gap-toothed general understands the dynamics of the Nigerian political landscape. He knows how to sustain his own political rhythm or relevance. His recent call that Nigeria should embrace restructuring was in apple-pie order and perfectly presented him as a true and perceptive statesman.
At 76, there is nothing more to fear. This is not the time for him to speak tongue-in-cheek. He must continue to speak forcefully and fearlessly. His position on restructuring, regardless of the scathing attacks from some quarters, reinforces the popular agitation for it. IBB, like Atiku Abubakar, has hit the bull’s eye with his advocacy. He must necessarily use his awesome influence and experience to help define and redefine the future and destiny of a restructured Nigeria. For his essential advocacy and numerous legacies in government, I wish IBB well on his 76th birthday.
*Ojeifo, an Abuja-based journalist, contributed this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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