Comdemning IBB's Memoir And The Repugnant Commendations; A Call For Persecution And Not To Deodorize A Devil. By Ukato T.

Condemning IBB's Memoir And The Repugnant Commendations; A Call For Persecution And Not To Deodorize A Devil.

By Ukato T. 

Plagued with the frailties that his present physical decrepitude has confined him arising from gerontological ailments, he sought a shortcut to cosmetically liberate his heinous conscience, perhaps with the knowledge that he sits at the doorsteps of his sepulcher. He fathomed that a memoir with half-truths, outright lies, known facts, and unsustainable claims could help him; hence, the badly titled book, "A Journey in Service," supposedly authored by the frail fingers of Gen. Ibrahim Badamonsi Babangida (IBB) Rtd, former military dictator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

In reality, a more suitable title for this book would have been "A Journey in Disservice" owing to the atrocious acts, this hitherto good-looking General, once nicknamed the "evil genius" meted on Nigerians and Nigeria, the political class, activists, the fourth estate of the realm and on dissenting voices when he held the reigns of power with an iron fist and with the butt of the gun. From 1985 to 1993, the "Maradona," as he was also called at that time, plunged the country into a state of nature where life was short, brutish, and uncertain. History is replete with how he institutionalized corruption, squandered our oil resources, and used them as 'giveaways' to his league of friends at a time of unprecedented boom. He spat on human rights, committed criminal acts against humanity, and most prominent, annulled the June 12, 1993, presidential elections. 

Thirty-two years after he stepped down from power following the complications, condemnation, the social and political unrest that greeted the annulment of the June 12 election adjudged as the freest and fairest in the history of our dear Nation, he writes a 420-page book detailing his early life, military career, family, his experiences and challenges as Nigeria's Military head of State, perhaps in an attempt at penance.

The striking and most unfortunate part of his book is his open confession of the fact that Alhaji Bashorun MKO Abiola, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) actually won the June 12, 1993 election. He expressed his regret for his action and apologized to Nigerians. Whatever the reason(s) he gave for the annulment is inconsequential. The fault, as admitted was all his, because the buck stopped at his table. For me, this is medicine after death. It brings no closure and cannot undo what has been done. It can never bring any sort of recompense to the Abiola's family who had to lose their patriarch and matriarch in the June 12 struggle. How about the numerous lives that were flushed out in the agitation? This is this writer's annoyance with the whole memoir...To what end? 

The Nigerian socialite and billionaire businessman, M.K.O Abiola, winner of the election, in the course of the struggle, was embattled, incarcerated, and eventually died in Incarceration allegedly masterminded by the "evil genius" through a lethal poisoning of his beverage and Nigeria lost a chance of experiencing what could have been. This dictator, now feigning repentance, allegedly famous for the use of letter bombs, and numerous unresolved assassinations typical of military dictators, took the nation many decades backward and laid the foundation for a more dysfunctional Nigeria. 

IBB robbed us as a people of an era where personal interests were still relatively subservient to National interest. Sadly, this has long been replaced with self-serving political gladiators whose only mission is to consolidate their wealth in the highly monetized political atmosphere. Our political culture, Nationhood, and patriotism have since been eroded and corroded, leading to this present warped arrangement called democracy.

More importantly, the main crust of this commentary is the lamentable and disgusting commendation that is trailing the book launch and appalling eulogies that have been poured on IBB for saying his so-called truth by a cross-section of Nigerians, particularly from the older generation who witnessed the IBB era. This confirms the fact that Nigerians are under the shackles of selective amnesia. How can we forget so soon how these sets of men in khaki made us a pariah Nation? IBB's memoir, especially the parts where he admitted guilt to certain heinous offenses, deserves not only condemnation as merited but also prosecution. You can't just confess and expect everything to go away. 

To add salt to injury and insult the memories of the victims of this dictator, the book launch was attended by Nigerian elites and Billionaires who donated generously to fund an IBB library. This is sheer hypocrisy and reveals the double standards that have balkanized the country and the fabric of society where the rich and powerful are above the law. 

As the former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, opined, IBB should be made to answer for his crimes, even if it means spending just a day in prison before he joins his ancestors. We cannot deodorize an acclaimed evil genius and adorn him in glittering drapes of heroism. 

IBB needs to pay for his sins.