A former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida has said that the 1985 coup that led to the ousting of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari was a necessary intervention.
In his autobiography titled, ‘A Journey in Service’, Babangida who served as the Chief of Army Staff under the Buhari regime said the 1985 coup was a response to a general discontent among Nigerians and was aimed at addressing the deteriorating state of affairs in the country.
In chapter six of his book, Babangida said Nigerians had become apprehensive by the beginning of 1985.
Buhari ruled the country between 1983 and 1985 but was ousted following a coup.
His government had also, ousted the Shehu Shagari government in December 1983.
However, for Babangida, the Buhari’s regime was enveloped by fear from the people, injustice within the army and ominous signs of clear and present danger.
According to him, the initial ‘rescue coup mission’ in 1983 was largely miscarried.
He noted that there was also fear that, should the armed forces implode due to failure to act, the whole nation would be affected.
“In state affairs, the armed forces, as the only remaining institution of national cohesion, were becoming torn into factions; something needed to be done lest we lose the nation itself.
“My greatest fear was that division of opinion and views within the armed forces could lead to factionalisation in the military. If allowed to continue and gain root, grave dangers lay ahead,” Babangida said.
He also accused Buhari and his deputy, Brigadier General Tunde Idiagbon of self-serving, rigidity and the use of authoritarian approach to governance.
“They both posited a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, antagonising the civil populace against the military. Fundamental rights and freedoms were being routinely infringed upon and abused,” Babangida noted.
He further explained that rather than improving lives, the Buhari regime ruled the people with draconian decrees.
