The Fearful General and a Controversial Book

By Eric Elezuo

A lot of things reared their heads for discussion when on February 20, 2025 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babagida, gathered the who’s who in Nigeria politics and entrepreneurship, to launch his much awaited book, A Journey in Service, and to raise fund for his proposed Presidential Library in Minna, Niger State.

The meeting, which proved to be an anti-climax of some sort, raised a lot of dust, most of which bothered on the inauthenticity of the narratives than an exposition. While Babangida acknowledged the winner of the annuled June 12, 1993 Presidential election as Chief MKO Abiola, he dwelled on bulk passing, blaming everyone but himself for the disaster that was June 12.

But more importantly, the reason behind all the blames heaped on other entities, was traced to his fearfulness, having noted that he was afraid for his life, and that explains why he had to annul an election that was adjudged the freest and fairest in modern times.

Erroneously, Babangida has been counted among the courageous leaders Nigeria has produced if going by his narration as being afraid for his life is anything to go by. By hindsight and convention, Generals are known to be officers, who has accomplished a lot, exhibited untold velour and bravado in the discharge of their duties. It therefore, becomes unheard of to note a retired to speak about a fear he harbored, preventing him from doing the right thing.

How can a General say he was a afraid for his own life. Who would he protect when he is sore afraid? The revelation is not only surprising, but explained that Nigerians have been giving Babangida undue honour as fear is not part of the military training, and that explains why they go headlong into battle to protect territorial integrity.

Most Nigerians have said that Babangida should be prosecuted for his part in the ill-fated June 12 affair, but he also face the consequences of not representing the military very when it mattered most.

A fearful General has no place leading anyone. A fearful like Babangida said he was, should be cautioned and not praised, and as case may be, face court-martial.