Even God cannot change the past – Aristotle.                        

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida was once a mythical allegory created by the Nigerian tabloids. In his heydays they nicknamed him ‘Evil Genius’ and ‘Maradona’ for his shrewdness in dealing with his types. After ruling Nigeria for eight years (1985 – 1993) and plunging the country into the worst economic recession in its history, the man popularly known by his initials as IBB was finally forced to resign leaving Nigeria in chaos and with no agenda.

But since leaving office his dark shadow has been hovering over the nation, or at least that was how the press made it seem. Nothing could be done without IBB as long as Nigeria was concern, and that image became so large after General Sani Abacha’s sudden demise. It was rumoured that IBB was responsible for making sure a Minna born soldier, Abdulsalami Abubukar, took over after Abacha’s sudden death. It was also rumoured that he was the key man who advised Abdulsalami Abubukar to hand over power after a short while to a democratic elected government, what he himself failed to do. And this one you know that it was him that handled over Nigeria to Olusegun Obasanjo. Everything about the man IBB has been speculations since he left office in 1993.

IBB has managed to keep a low profile and to let speculations and unconfirmed rumours turn him into a legend. Perhaps he isn’t just Evil Genius or Maradona for nothing. In fact politicians believed in the IBB myth more than anyone else. They all rushed to Minna for IBB’s blessing before heading to their glamorous city of Abuja . When they hear IBB would be present at any occasion they all rush there just to have a handshake with the man. Praise singers sing his praises.

One thing IBB has managed to do is to be in the good book of the press. Even though they hated him they loved him the more. And before Obasanjo’s third term agenda, it was rumoured that Olusegun Obasanjo was planning to handover power to IBB in 2007. Like most rumours associated with IBB, Nigerians took it seriously, home, abroad and overseas. His ardent critics, knowing anything is possible in the Nigerian political terrain were shocked that he could be the choice of PDP, the ruling political party who have no choice than to accept any person the President appoints. On the contrary his ardent supporters were excited that the man was coming back. The man who would make everyone of them rich! IBB had his posters beaming everywhere. He was coming back and it seemed nobody could stop.

The IBB saga reminds me of a famous African folktale. The elephant was once the strongest and most powerful in the animal kingdom. He wanted to be king at all cost. He thought he was cunning but why would he use his head when he had all the power and resources to be king. He thought the animals loved him not knowing they secretly despised his arrogance. They praised him and sing his songs. And somehow even though he had perceived that they despised him he started to believe that they loved him. Behind his back opposition conspired to deal with him. The tortoise volunteered to do the job for them. So they went to him and told him they wanted him to be their king. A day was arranged for the ceremony and it was the biggest feast ever in the animal kingdom. The elephant was decorated in the best garment as he walked augustly and majestically to take his throne. The tortoise who was the architect of the plan was behind the elephant shouting his praises and most of the animals thought it was for real until the elephant step on the throne and the area collapsed. It was a trap. The elephant opened his eyes and found himself in a hole. The whole animal laughed and laughed and cheered in relief.

IBB had allowed praise singers to lure him into declaring for a come back in 2007. Many had wondered what he was coming back to do after eight years in power and eight years of opportunity to write his name with gold in Nigerian history. No one could really answer that question except sycophants who make posters of him and advertise the man in the dailies that he was coming back to undo the wrongs he had done in his eight wasteful years as president. He managed to keep his ambition to himself, playing safe not to offend Olusegun Obasanjo, who it was believed would handover power to him. Atiku had lost out with his vitriolic war with Obasanjo, Buba Marwa wasn’t just the man, and the PDP hatchet man, Tony Anineh, referred to as Mr. Fix it had made it categorically clear that the PDP was rotating power back to the north as promised from the beginning. Who was it going to be? The final massacre of the third term by senate got everyone scrambling.

When IBB picked the nomination form with his wife Maryam Babangida at the Wadata House in Abuja , it was headline news. But then like in the animal kingdom they had dug a hole on the throne for him. Many had expected he would throw his support behind somebody and let go of that ambition of becoming president again. Then suddenly he announced his withdrawal. Immediately he did that the mysticism associated with the Evil Genius evaporated. He had fallen into a hole.

Today, when you mention IBB people just look at you and look away as if it is history. He has been banished to his palace in Minna. Is this the end of one of Nigeria ’s political gladiators and godfather? I think it is. You will see him in big weddings, political rallies, and other functions, in the future, but that is that.

Obasanjo must learn that it would over for him soon. Things have changed since the democratization of Nigeria in 1999 from the evil claw of military regimes. People have changed too. And in the end what most of our leaders would get are the good deeds and good names they leave behind. There would always be an end and only those who have the interest of the nation at heart will make history in the end. And if this is the end for IBB he would certainly begin to see the history of himself that would be left for posterity in the press. I doubt much if most of our leaders care about history and posterity anyway. In fact they do care about those perishable mansions in London , USA , and all over the country, and those fat bank accounts in Switzerland , more than making history.

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 08.02.2007 14:51

planet1899  Villager

# 2 Then I say, goodbye to rubbish..... Posted by planet1899| 08.02.2007 16:09

Freedom  Villager

# 3 Decent Article. Yes, IBB is a 'has-been'. It is however unfortunate that people and especially the Media keep bringing his name back to the limelight in their eye-catching headlines with no substance. I believe that for IBB, any publicity (+ve or -ve) can only be considered good, at least it keeps him in the media ditto, relevant. If only the Nigerian media can get themselves together and come up with a gentle-man's Code of Conduct which includes not glorifying some personalities in the likes of IBB etc Posted by Freedom| 08.02.2007 17:26

el_pharoah  Villager

# 4 Anyone who thinks that IBB is a spent force in Nigerian politics is either a joker, naive or has absolutely no clue about the machination of Nigerian politics. If you don't know, Nigerian politics is centered mainly and revolves mostly around money and IBB has lots and lots of it, don't ask me how he got it though! Next the man is heavily connected firstly by being a former president and secondly via his creation, the Babaginda Boys and Girls, many still hold key positions in the military, government and public sector and most are fiercely loyal. Yes he got his nose bloodied when, rather badly I thought, when he (was made) to withdrew from the presidential race. But you had better believe that he will play some part in the outcome of the elections in 2007, toe to toe with obj until the very end, cloak and dagger style Posted by el_pharoah| 08.02.2007 19:15

Kevin obosi  Villager

# 5 IBB has passed his sell by date PERIOD!!! He plunged our dear nation into the filty mess, she is today, he laid the very 'solid foundation' for corruption, he's not worthy to live PERIOD!!! kevin Obosi 44-7961156447 Posted by Kevin obosi| 09.02.2007 18:19