- Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) revealed in his autobiography, A Journey In Service, that he overthrew Muhammadu Buhari’s regime due to dissatisfaction with its policies and leadership styles
- Babangida detailed the draconian decrees and abuse of rights under Buhari, which led to the 1985 coup
- He emphasised that action had to be taken to rebuild the hopes of Nigerians and prevent further division within the armed forces
IBB Mentions His Main Reason for Overthrowing Buhari in 1985 Even Though He Was His Chief of StaffSource: Getty ImagesDraconian decrees and abuse of rightsThe 1985 coupAfter the military coup that replaced the civilian government of Shehu Shagari with a military regime led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida assumed the role of Chief of Army Staff. However, he became increasingly dissatisfied with the Buhari governments policies and leadership style, which he believed were detrimental to the nations progress. This dissatisfaction eventually led to its ouster in 1985, and he took office as the military President, the book reads.On that day, it became my lot to step into the saddle of national leadership on behalf of the Nigerian armed forces. The change in leadership had become necessary as a response to the worsening mood of the nation and growing concern about our future as a people. All through the previous day, as we flew from Minna and drove through Lagos towards Bonny Camp, I was deeply reflecting on how we as a nation got to this point and how and why I found myself at this juncture of fate, IBB said in his book.By the beginning of 1985, the citizenry had become apprehensive about the future of our country. The atmosphere was precarious and fraught with ominous signs of clear and present danger. It was clear to the more discerning leadership of the armed forces that our initial rescue mission of 1983 had largely miscarried. We now stood the risk of having the armed forces split down the line because our rescue mission had largely derailed. If the armed forces imploded, the nation would go with it, and the end was just too frightening to contemplate.Divisions of opinion within the armed forces had come to replace the unanimity of purpose that informed the December 1983 change of government. In state affairs, the armed forces, as the only remaining institution of national cohesion, were becoming torn into factions; something needed to be done lest we lose the nation itself. My greatest fear was that division of opinion and views within the armed forces could lead to factionalisation in the military. If allowed to continue and gain root, grave dangers lay ahead.Fundamental rights and freedoms were being routinely infringed upon and abused. As a military administration, we were now presiding over a society that was primarily frightened of us, he said.We were supposed to improve their lives and imbue the people with hope for a better future. Instead, we ruled the nation with a series of draconian decrees. 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.Draconian decrees led to the abuse and severe limitation of basic freedoms as people were clamped into indefinite detention, most times for minor infractions. Punishment for crimes against the state had led to the pursuit of mechanical legalistic justice against the dictates of natural justice. As the Chief of Army Staff, I was under undue pressure from the rank and file to seek ways of reconnecting the government to society lest we lose the nation itself.This tense atmosphere culminated in the unanimous decision of a broad spectrum of senior and middle-level officers to change the nations leadership. The processes associated with this change were completed without bloodshed by midnight on August 26, 1985.”How I married my wife, converted her to Islam”: IBB
