Pack Of Many Things: Key  Observations From IBB’s Memoir Launch

The launch of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s (IBB) memoir was a pack of many things – a grand reunion of beneficiaries of his rule known as “IBB Boys.” One of the most striking moments was Babangida’s admission that MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, election—something long known but officially unacknowledged. Beyond the praise, the book has faced sharp criticism. Many see it as an attempt to rewrite history, particularly given that key figures involved in his administration have passed away, leaving little room for counter-narratives.

Here are five things we observed from IBB’s memoir, “A Journey in Service”

MKO Abiola Won 1993 Presidential Elections

In the launch, former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) openly admitted that Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, a fact long regarded as an open secret. However, he stated that it was the military regime led by General Sani Abacha that annulled the election, denying Abiola his rightful mandate.

This admission further reinforces the historical truth that Abiola was the duly elected president of Nigeria, and by acknowledging this, the Federal Government should take the necessary steps to accord him full honors as a former president. This serves as a gesture of justice and also strengthens Nigeria’s democratic legacy by formally acknowledging the will of the people as expressed in the June 12 election.

Gathering of IBB Boys

You saw a book launch, we saw a grand reunion of the individuals whose fortunes were shaped during IBB’s tenure as  Nigeria’s Head of State. Among the distinguished guests were prominent figures, including Arthur Eze, all commonly referred to as the “IBB Boys”—a circle of beneficiaries who received oil well licenses and other strategic opportunities under his administration. The event served as a platform for these influential personalities to publicly celebrate their benefactor, expressing gratitude for the privileges and influence they amassed during his rule.

An Outpouring of Pretentious Goodwill

IBB’s book launch was celebrated with flowery epistles, but that doesn’t erase his legacy. Under his rule, Nigeria faced economic hardship due to the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), which worsened living conditions. The annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, widely seen as fair, threw the nation into chaos. The 1986 assassination of journalist Dele Giwa by a parcel bomb remains unresolved, with suspicions pointing at the government. Babangida’s regime was also plagued by corruption, including the mismanagement of the $12.4 billion Gulf War oil windfall. Given this history, the recent praise feels insincere, disregarding the pain of a nation that suffered under his rule. While honoring past leaders is common, doing so without acknowledging their failures distorts history and insults those who lived through those difficult times. Instead of whitewashing the past, silence would have been more respectful than this pretentious display.

Published Three Decades After 

The book was published 32 years later, at a time when most of the key figures involved were no longer alive to challenge its contents. From Sani Abacha, who led the anti-June 12 forces, to Augustus Aikhomu, who directed his press secretary, Nduka Irabor, to announce the annulment without IBB’s knowledge; Arthur Nzeribe, whose Association for Better Nigeria secured a court order to halt the election; Justice Dahiru Saleh, who formally annulled the election; and Attorney-General of the Federation, Clement Akpamgbo, who insisted that the illegal order must be upheld—all have since passed away. As a result, the book risks becoming a source of historical reference and an attempt to rewrite history.

Stiff Criticism Follows The Book Launch

Barely 48 hours after its public launch, the memoir faced intense backlash. Many public intellectuals, commentators, and activists have voiced concerns that the book represents an attempt to rewrite history. 

Writer Feyi Fawehinmi was among the first to express his outrage, stating unequivocally, “But I just want to state for the record that IBB was a very, very bad person. Don’t be fooled.” His words reflect the deep-seated resentment many Nigerians still feel towards Babangida’s regime, which was marked by political maneuvering and the controversial annulment of an election that many believe would have ushered in genuine democracy. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong also condemned the celebration surrounding Babangida’s memoir, arguing that Nigeria is a nation that “demonizes heroes and canonizes villains.”  Advertising specialist Chidi Okereke took issue with the warm reception the former military ruler has received, observing, “Look at the accolades a man like IBB—who annulled democratic elections and changed the course of Nigeria’s history—is getting because he published his memoir. He highlights the frustrating reality that figures like Babangida, despite their controversial legacies, often enjoy the privileges of wealth, influence, and public recognition without true accountability.

Political commentator Gege was critical not just of Babangida’s past but of the quality of the memoir itself. He noted, “Excerpts show that it’s full of his Maradona-type obfuscation.” Similarly, politics lecturer Remi Adekoya expressed frustration at the way Babangida’s legacy is being rehabilitated. Wale Lawal, founder of The Republic, drew attention to an even more painful historical injustice, pointing out, “IBB—a well-known despot—is launching a book and getting billions in donations, meanwhile, the Ogoni 9 (peaceful environmental activists executed 30 years ago by the regime of IBB’s defense minister, Abacha) have still not been exonerated. Nigeria is crazy.” His remarks emphasize the selective nature of justice in Nigeria, where perpetrators of crime can enjoy public adulation, while those who fought for justice, such as the Ogoni 9, remain unrecognized and unvindicated. It’s expected that more knocks would follow as more people read the memoir.