GENERAL BABANGIDA AT 85: Another tribute, by Dele Sobowale

Annual tributes to former Nigerian military president Ibrahim Babangida, often called IBB, have become a ritual, but they also reignite debate over his controversial legacy. While critics point to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, the author argues this action prevented a potentially disastrous scenario where one individual would hold both immense personal wealth and ultimate political power.

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Nobody is worth being called a friend unless he is prepared to suffer attacks on account of defending you

The author contends that the annulment, while a mistake, was not the sole factor in the election's outcome. They highlight that if earlier primaries had not been annulled, the eventual candidate, MKO Abiola, might not have even been a contender. This perspective suggests a selective focus by "propagandists" who condemn the annulment but ignored earlier, similar actions.

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A man who has made no mistakes does not usually make anything

To assess Babangida's impact, the article compares his eight years in office with those of two democratically elected presidents, Obasanjo and Buhari, who also served eight-year terms. The comparison focuses on the establishment and maintenance of institutions. The author cites the completion of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge as a key achievement under Babangida, noting that he did not name it after himself despite the opportunity. This is contrasted with the perceived lack of vision from subsequent leaders on such projects.

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Any country which unites the greatest personal wealth with the ultimate political power in one person has already murdered democracy.