Over Three Decades After, IBB’s Charm Endures

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

What makes Gen. Ibrahim Babangida tick? Why have Nigerians, from the ordinary to the high and mighty, found it difficult to ignore him? How did he bring the entire country under one roof, as it were, to arguably his first major event since leaving government in August 1993?

These are questions that will continue to linger in the minds of citizens and the international community, as they struggle to unravel Babangida the man, nay Babangida the enigma.

Popularly called IBB, the ex-Nigerian leader once again proved his enduring influence yesterday when he brought Nigeria’s political, business and military elite together at the launch of a book chronicling his years in power.

The event, held in an atmosphere thick with history and reflection, was more than just a literary gathering—it was a clear and undebatable proof of Babangida’s ability to command respect across political divides, even decades after leaving office.

The hall brimmed with dignitaries, past and present—former military heads of state, civilian presidents, seasoned politicians, business moguls, and traditional rulers, all drawn together by the towering legacy of a man who once held the reins of Africa’s most populous nation. Some had been his allies, others his critics. Yet on this day, they sat side by side, bound by a shared recognition of his role in shaping Nigeria’s modern political landscape.

Love him or hate him, but you can ignore the now old, tired, but still charming ex-soldier. It was a mosaic of leadership across generations. From those who once stood on opposing sides of history to those who could be called his allies, they all found themselves exchanging pleasantries, their past disagreements momentarily overshadowed by the weight of the occasion.

And so, yesterday Babangida did not just appear as a retired general or a former president—he stood gallantly as the bridge between Nigeria’s past and its future, a man whose name still carried the power to unite, if only for a few hours.

If anything was abundantly confirmed on Thursday at the book/presidential library launch in Abuja, it was that the man called IBB remains one of Nigeria’s most intriguing political figures, even 32 years after his military presidency. His legacy remains a mix of admiration and controversy.

While his legs are now too weak to walk, IBB still cultivates an aura of mystery, and to some, charm. Now in his twilight zone, the ‘evil genius’ has not lost his ability to captivate, charm  and even bewitch his most ardent haters.

To be sure, Babangida left a complex legacy, some deeply controversial, yet others simply awe-inspiring. He introduced the controversial Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which he said aimed to revive Nigeria’s struggling economy.

To his credit, Babangida set up several institutions that have endured till today, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat drug trafficking and abuse;  the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to improve road safety in Nigeria and the now defunct Peoples Bank of Nigeria to provide financial assistance to small-scale businesses and rural entrepreneurs.

To return Nigeria to democracy, Babangida introduced a two-party system, leading to the emergence of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC). This was an attempt to simplify Nigeria’s political structure and reduce ethnic-based politics. He introduced Option A4, which was widely praised for its simplicity.

Babangida accelerated the movement of Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, a move aimed at reducing congestion in Lagos and promoting national unity and expanded Nigeria’s infrastructure and military strength. Yet, his government was a mixed bag.

While Babangida initiated major reforms and institution-building, his government was also marked by corruption allegations, human rights abuses, and the controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, won by MKO Abiola. A matter which was finally laid to rest yesterday. Or was it?

Self-styled “military president,” IBB left behind a legacy as complex as the man himself, a legacy of paradoxes, one would say. One trait he was known for was his ability to headhunt the best to work with him.

From Idika Kalu to Olikoye Ransome-Kuti; from Olu Falae to Onaolapo Soleye; from Jibril Aminu to Tony Momoh and then to Bolaji Akinyemi, these lieutenants of his made a mark.

One of Nigeria’s most intriguing personalities, Babangida left with a mix of admiration and controversy, variously describing himself as one of Nigeria’s most misunderstood leaders.

By the time Babangida finally “stepped aside” in August 1993, he left behind a nation in turmoil. His refusal to fully relinquish power had birthed an interim government that collapsed within months, paving the way for Sani Abacha’s brutal dictatorship.

His once-promising reforms had been overshadowed by economic hardship, political instability, and deep-seated corruption. Beyond any doubt, Babangida remains an enigma—a leader who had the intellect and opportunity to set Nigeria on a path to greatness but ultimately flunked his legacies through indecision, self-preservation, and a failure to match ambition with genuine commitment.

His story is a cautionary tale of the fragility of power and the dangerous impact it could have on generations unborn when not wielded with utmost caution and sense of responsibility.

Babangida’s greatest test came with the June 12, 1993 election. He had successfully united Nigeria’s political elite under a democratic framework, yet his decision to annul the election unraveled much of the goodwill he had built. The very coalition he had nurtured turned against him, and his once-unified house of power began to crumble.

Posterity will most likely judge him through the lens of his ambition, reforms, and controversies, weighing his contributions against the shadows of his missteps.

He will be remembered not just for what he built, but for what he undid, a leader whose impact lingers in both Nigeria’s progress and its lost opportunities.

His greatest undoing was one he did in one moment of hesitation, one fateful decision, that unraveled everything: His annulment of Abiola’s election. That singular act turned him from a reformer into a villain in the eyes of many Nigerians.

The election was not just any election—it was Nigeria’s fairest and freest, a rare moment when the people’s voice rang clear and unchallenged.

Whatever the true motive, Babangida’s decision shattered Nigeria’s fragile democratic dreams, replacing hope with anger, disillusionment, and a deep-seated mistrust in leadership. The consequences were swift and unforgiving…even till date. What could have been if he hadn’t cancelled that poll.

He was a man whose greatest political gamble failed spectacularly, a leader who had let ambition and self-preservation override the will of the people. His achievements, however significant, would forever be overshadowed by that singular act of annulment.

History would judge him not as the father of Nigerian democracy, but as the one who stalled its birth. And in that moment of hesitation, Babangida did not just lose power—he lost the chance to be remembered as the man who truly changed Nigeria for the better.

Still, his ability to bring together Nigeria’s power players—whether in governance, business, or politics—remains one of his most remarkable feats. Even after leaving office, Babangida continues to be a political godfather, a man whose Minna residence has become a pilgrimage site for aspiring leaders seeking wisdom and endorsement. That is Ibrahim  Babangida, a man loved and hated with equal passion.