易卜拉欣·巴班吉达

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (born 17 August 1941) is a Nigerian general and politician who ruled as military president of Nigeria from 1985 when he orchestrated a coup d'état against Muhammadu Buhari, until he stepped aside in 1993 as a result of the crisis of the Third Republic.

He rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army fighting in the Nigerian Civil War and at various times being involved in almost all the military coups in Nigeria, before advancing to the rank of a General and ultimately as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; and as an unelected President and military dictator from 1985 to 1993, ruling for an uninterrupted period of eight years. His years in power, colloquially known as the Babangida Era, are considered one of the most controversial in Nigerian political and military history, being characterized by a burgeoning political culture of corruption in Nigeria, with Babangida and his regime estimated to have misappropriated at least 12 billion dollars (23.9 billion today).

The Babangida regime oversaw the establishment of a state security apparatus, survived two coup d'état attempts, and the subsequent execution of Mamman Vatsa (1985) and Gideon Orkar (1990) alongside the trial of hundreds of soldiers. The Babangida era also witnessed the assassination in Lagos of a prominent journalist named Dele Giwa (1986). The regime also faced a series of ethnic and religious outbreaks related to the fallout of Babangida's decision to increase cooperation with the Muslim world and rise in extremist tendencies. On the continent, his rule projected the country as a regional power with diplomatic successes including the Abuja Treaty and the military engagement of Nigerian troops in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Early life

Ibrahim Babangida was born on 17 August 1941 in Minna to Muhammad and Aisha Babangida. He received early Islamic education before attending primary school from 1950 to 1956.……

Military career

Civil war

Following the outbreak of the civil war, Babangida was recalled and posted to the 1st Division under the command of General Mohammed Shuwa. In 1968, he became commander of the 44 Infantry Battalion which was involved in heavy fighting within Biafran territory.……

After the war

In 1970, following the war Babangida was promoted twice and posted to the Nigerian Defence Academy as an instructor.……

Coup d'état of 1985

Planning

Following the coup d'état of 1983, General Babangida (then Chief of Army Staff) started scheming to overthrow military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari. The palace coup of 1985 was orchestrated with a degree of military deftness hitherto not observed in prior military coups in the country.……

Execution

The execution of the palace coup was initially delayed due to General Tunde Idiagbon the 6th Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, and ruthless second-in-command to General Muhammadu Buhari.……

Presidency

Shortly after coming to power General Babangida established the Nigerian Political Bureau of 1986.……

Post presidency

From his hilltop residence in Minna, Babangida cultivated a patronage system which cut across the entire country. In 1998, Babangida was instrumental in the transition to democracy. Babangida is one of the founders of the Peoples Democratic Party alongside other prominent military generals such as Aliyu Mohammed Gusau.……

Personal life

A biopic titled Badamasi: Portrait of a General which chronicled his early life, life during the Nigerian Civil War as well as his time as the military head of state was produced by Obi Emelonye and released in cinemas on 12 June 2020.

Family

Babangida was married to Maryam Babangida from 1969 until her death in 2009. They had four children together;……

Public image

Babaginda once described himself as an "evil genius", a nickname that stuck.……

Honours

Military ranks

During his military career, Babangida attained the following ranks: