Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, nicknamed the Evil Genius, made two key shocking revelations in his recently launched book, "A Journey in Service." The book is seen by many as an attempt to launder his image and seek validation from Nigerians. IBB, who was instrumental in the leadership rot and desecration that Nigeria faces today, wants history to be kind to him.
In his book, IBB makes two significant revelations. Firstly, he claims that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo coup, contrary to popular belief. He argues that Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, the head of the plotters, was only Igbo in name from the then mid-western part of Nigeria, fluent in Hausa language,and was born and raised in Kaduna. IBB also reveals that Igbo officers were also victims of the coup, citing the example of Lt-Col. Arthur Chinyelu Unegbe, who was brutally killed by his fellow soldiers.
Secondly, IBB openly confessed that Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12 election, which he annulled. This revelation has sparked controversy, with many questioning the timing of IBB's confession.
IBB is a smart bad man who to his credit has made individuals, including influential Igbo men like Chief Arthur Eze, billionaires. However, his legacy is marred by his role in the leadership rot and desecration that Nigeria faces today.
As an image maker and one with experience in the art of branding,I can tell you categorically that IBB's book launch was an attempt to seek absolution for his past wrongdoings and whitewash his Image. The event was well-attended by VIPs including the country's political leaders and former leaders, who came to applaud him and help launder his image.
However, many are of the view that IBB's revelation came too late and is nothing more than medicine after death.
What transpired on the day of the book launch is a stark reminder of the level of detachment that exists between the nation's political leadership and the masses.
While former vice president of Nigeria under the terrible regime of Muhammadu Buhari, Osibanjo reeled out the horrifying exploits of the evil genius, the VIPs clapped ,the audience laughed and the now aged evil genius kept smiling from ear to ear like a well fed Cheshire cat while the masses suffering the effects of high costs of living caused by their mishandling of the nation's resources watched from the television,aghast and wondering what exactly was happening and what makes this extravagant display of insane opulence a thing of joy to share in.
Recall that former VP Osibanjo a once revered redeemed church pastor,maintained deliberate silence while in power and enjoyed the pecks of his lofty position while turning deaf ears to cries for help from Northern Christians and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)as they faced a seemingly government backed decimation by the Fulani herdsmen.
The plight of Ndi Igbo in Nigeria took a turn for the worse during the regime of Gen. Buhari, whose deliberate policies, actions ( like the unnecessary arrest then of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) and lopsided appointments brought insecurity to the once peaceful southeast.With the successful book launch by IBB who went home with a pat on the back and billions of Naira richer. One won't be surprised to see Gen. Buhari tomorrow carrying out his own mockery on the sensibility of the masses by launching a book written by one smart alec with the country's VIPs gathered as usual.
Despite the injustice meted over the years to the Igbo race with the death of over 3 million men,women and children during the civil war felled mostly by bullets and Kwashiorkor,, Ndi Igbo has continued to succeed, and many believe that it will take an Igbo man to eventually redeem and restore the pride of this nation back to it's former status as a giant of Africa again.
It is my considered opinion that the country owes Ndi Igbo an apology and political restitution for the false accusations and terrible treatments we have faced over the past decades.
The Igbo nation needs to go back to the drawing board and restrategise having now shed the toga of 1966 coupists that the nation had unfairly smeared on them for decades.
The injustice done to Ndi Igbo can only be assuaged when a smart, energetic, and disruptive Igbo man is elected President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Why he needs to be disruptive is because he will need to frontally engage and dismantle the present rotten system fostered on us by the military dictators like IBB and co and restructure the country , based on equity, fairness and balanced respect for all,taking into due consideration the diverse nature of our country, Nigeria.
Kamen Chuks Ogbonna
Awka, Anambra State
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