By Max Gbanite
I do not envy former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Notwithstanding his concern about the unity and indissolubility of this country, I feel worried about the verdict of posterity and the wicked debasement of his legacy by elements of some neophytes within the political class. The affairs of men are sometimes guided by the actions of the past which define the present and predict the future. The unfortunate thing however is that this axiom has not been deployed in analyzing the presidency of the amiable-Minna-born-army-General. Successive political upstarts have anchored on the “benefits” accruable from demonizing his name to achieve a modicum of relevance as if it were a badge of honor to insult the man. Fortunately, for these critics, the General does not always want to join issues with minions; as a result he is fully reaping the fruits of his laxity in responding to multiple unfounded allegations and insults directed at him.
Recently in a press conference Senator George Sekibo, senate committee chairman on defence, and his colleague, Senator Sani Saleh, accused Babangida of destroying the armed forces during his leadership of the country. They blamed the current military setback against Boko Haram on his legacy. This is the height of mischief and ignorance. It is illogical to heap the failures of present military campaign on a man that left office over 21 years ago. Are they inferring that all other Presidents that succeeded him, like the late Generals Sani Abacha, Abdusalmi Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, Alh. Umaru Yar’Adua, and currently Dr. Goodluck Jonathan were under the influence of voodoo and other spiritual forces that prevented them from rebuilding the military? This is indeed a clear case of ‘bad belle’ or a severe case of ‘retroactive-resentment’ on the part of the senators.
The truth is that Babangida bequeathed a functional standing military prior to his stepping aside in 1993. It is on record that the military under Babangida as President, led other armies from West Africa; as ECOMOG they fought and restored democracy to Liberia; and that was arguably the first successful intervention by any African military force in the continent. Is this not a testimony of the solidity of the military under the now vilified leader?
It is pertinent to mention that the same Babangida’s administration established the National War College (National Defence College) the first of its kind in independent Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of the college is training of the most senior cadre of the armed forces for combat-readiness and intelligence operations, and strategic thinking. This was complemented by the setting up of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to coordinate the activities of all the security agencies for maximum advantage of espionage and counter terrorism activities; created the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and appointed Brig. Gen Halilu Akilu, Rtd. a renowned intelligence guru as its founding Director General; created Department of State Security Services (DSS), with the brilliant Col Togun as Director General; and created Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Interestingly, these institutions have great academic institutions that have graduated many outstanding students.
Critically, the Babangida administration’s attempt to establish the National Guard in 1985 was misconstrued as an attempt to protect his elongation in office, hence the idea was discarded. However, the National Guard was conceptualized to be an independent security agency that will augment the Nigeria Police Force for internal security and prevention of insurgency. Unfortunately, the Abacha administration abolished the guard. With hindsight the guard would have prevented the Boko Haram insurgency from germinating.
How did we find ourselves in the present mess? It can be arguably stated that the wholesale retirement of senior and well trained military officers by the Obasanjo/Atiku Abubakar’s administration contributed in reducing the professionalism of our armed forces. However, the dynamic military infrastructure already established in the nation has again, given us fine officers like the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen KTJ Minimah, and his other colleagues who are retooling the armed forces to meet the needs of the insecurity bedeviling the nation.
Sekibo and Saleh should apologize to Nigerians and IBB for misinformation. They should meet their colleagues in NASS, join hands together across party-lines; and support to President Jonathan, the service chiefs, heads of all security agencies, and our military; encourage them to remain united and focused so that as a nation we can stabilize our country. And they should invite Dr. Ngozi okonjo-Iweala, and find out why she likes holding on to security-operations-funds, creating problems for them. As for Senators Sekibo and Saleh, this is your opportunity to place your lives on the line for your country, don’t waste it blaming the wind; stay focused distinguished-gentlemen.
As for the great amiable gentleman from Minna, all I can say is that it was very painful seeing you in Abuja recently walking in pains. The cause of your terrible pain is bullet shrapnel lodged in your body because you put your life on the line in defense of the country. Sir I salute your courage.
Gbanite, defence and public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja. Email: [email protected]
