Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria’s former Military Head of State, has revealed that the regime of Muhammadu Buhari was overthrown in 1985 due to its draconian policies and leadership style.
In his autobiography, “A Journey In Service”, Babangida stated that Buhari’s government was “detrimental to the nation’s progress.”
Babangida, who was Chief of Staff to Buhari, expressed his dissatisfaction with the regime’s policies, which he believed led to the abuse of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.
“Fundamental rights and freedoms were being routinely infringed upon and abused. As a military administration, we were now presiding over a society that was primarily frightened of us,” he wrote.
READ ALSO: ‘My Father Has Always Been Envied’ – Abacha’s Son Defends His Legacy Amid IBB’s Revelation
The former military leader also criticised Buhari and his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, for their rigid and uncompromising attitudes to issues of national significance.
“A combination of these characteristics in the two most important persons holding the nation’s vital offices became impossible to contend with,” Babangida said.
“We were supposed to improve their lives and imbue the people with hope for a better future. Instead, we ruled the nation with a series of draconian decrees. An administration intended to reflect the collective will of the armed forces as a national institution came to be seen as the private personal autocracy of a stubborn few.
“This tense atmosphere culminated in the unanimous decision of a broad spectrum of senior and middle-level officers to change the nation’s leadership. The processes associated with this change were completed without bloodshed by midnight on August 26, 1985,” he wrote.
via: Information Nigeria
No comments
Post a Comment