Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), has justified the 1985 coup that removed General Muhammadu Buhari from power. In his newly released autobiography, “A Journey in Service” Babangida said the coup was necessary because of growing national dissatisfaction, economic hardship, and the authoritarian leadership style of Buhari and his deputy, Brigadier General Tunde Idiagbon.
Rising Public Frustration and Military Concerns
Babangida described the months leading up to the coup as tense and uncertain. He stated that by early 1985, Nigerians had become anxious about the country’s future. “The atmosphere was precarious and fraught with ominous signs of clear and present danger,” he wrote.
According to him, the military initially took over in 1983 to rescue the country from a corrupt civilian government, but Buhari’s leadership had failed to deliver on that promise. “It was clear to the more discerning leadership of the armed forces that our initial rescue mission of 1983 had largely miscarried,” Babangida explained.
Accusations Against Buhari and Idiagbon
Babangida accused Buhari and Idiagbon of isolating themselves from the rest of the military and ruling with a rigid and authoritarian style. “They both posited a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, antagonising the civil populace against the military,” he wrote.
He further claimed that fundamental human rights were being violated under Buhari’s government. “Fundamental rights and freedoms were being routinely infringed upon and abused,” he stated.
Instead of giving people hope for a better future, Babangida said Buhari’s government imposed harsh decrees and made life even harder for ordinary Nigerians. “An administration intended to reflect the collective will of the armed forces as a national institution came to be seen as the private personal autocracy of a stubborn few,” he wrote.
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Economic Hardship and Controversial Policies
The former military ruler also blamed Buhari’s economic policies for worsening public suffering. He said essential goods were scarce, and the government’s strict economic controls made life difficult for many Nigerians.
“Like most military coups, our leadership change was informed by widespread disquiet among the civil populace. Ordinary people were experiencing severe economic hardship,” Babangida explained.
One of Buhari’s most criticized policies was his decision to use barter trade in international transactions instead of monetary exchange. Babangida argued that such measures only deepened the country’s financial crisis. “Arbitrary controls in all aspects of economic life and an ancient resort to barter in international trade meant that the nation’s financial woes would not end soon,” he wrote.
Pressure from the Military and a Bloodless Coup
Babangida revealed that as Chief of Army Staff at the time, he faced increasing pressure from junior officers to act against Buhari’s government. He warned that internal military divisions could lead to instability.
“This tense atmosphere culminated in the unanimous decision of a broad spectrum of senior and middle-level officers to change the nation’s leadership,” he stated.
He emphasized that the coup was executed without bloodshed. “The processes associated with this change were completed without bloodshed by midnight on August 26, 1985,” Babangida wrote.
A Controversial Justification
Babangida’s justification for the coup remains a subject of debate. While some Nigerians believe Buhari’s government was too rigid and oppressive, others argue that his policies were aimed at fighting corruption and restoring discipline.
Regardless of differing opinions, Babangida’s account provides new insight into one of Nigeria’s most significant political events. His book, “A Journey in Service”, sheds light on the internal conflicts within the military and the motivations behind the 1985 coup that shaped the country’s political history.