IBB And Nigeria’s Postmodernist Narratives

Last week, the launching of IBB’s biography took center stage in Nigerian history. I decided to calm down, rath­er, to take my time to read the con­tent and context of the book titled: ‘A Journey in Service’ – a crisp of IBB’s biography.

It’s no longer a news story of the diverse crowd that gathered to cel­ebrate the life of General Ibrahim Babangida, fondly known as MA­RADONA or IBB. The attendees represented a mix of perspectives, including those who viewed him favorably, those who held critical views, and those who remained indifferent.

The iconic celebration itself wasn’t the primary cause for con­cern. Rather, it was the gathering of individuals, who, with a sense of impunity, openly boasted about how they had personally benefited from IBB’s use of public funds for personal enrichment.

This blatant display of ill-gotten wealth served as a stark reminder of the systemic corruption that plagued Nigeria during IBB’s re­gime and continues to cast a long shadow over the nation’s develop­ment till date.

To put the scale of this alleged financial impropriety into perspec­tive, the fundraising efforts for the biography launch amassed a stag­gering sum exceeding ₦16 billion. This exorbitant amount raised, posed serious questions about the source of these funds and fueled public outrage, particularly among the vulnerable Nigerians, who had directly suffered from the conse­quences of economic mismanage­ment during IBB’s tenure. The event ignited a firestorm of debate on so­cial media platforms, becoming a virtual battleground for opposing narratives.

On one side were those who were identified as victims of the alleged financial wrongdoings, individuals and communities whose lives and livelihoods had been adversely af­fected by the policies and actions associated with IBB’s rule. They voiced their anger and frustration, demanding accountability and jus­tice for what they perceived as a betrayal of public trust.

On the other side were individ­uals whose families had directly or indirectly benefited from IBB’s patronage system. They defended his legacy, highlighting his contri­butions to national development and arguing that the allegations of corruption were exaggerated or politically motivated. This clash of perspectives underscored the deep divisions within Nigerian society and the enduring legacy of IBB’s controversial reign. The most dis­heartening aspect of the alleged IBB scam on the Nigerian people wasn’t just the alleged misappro­priation of oil wealth, but the seem­ingly apathetic response from some quarters of the Nigerian populace.

This indifference was particu­larly painful given the widespread poverty and lack of basic amenities endured by many Nigerians, a situ­ation directly linked to the alleged siphoning of national resources, including oil wells and funds, into the hands of a select few during IBB’s regime.

Adding insult to injury was the spectacle of individuals who pur­portedly benefited from the corrupt system, publicly flaunting their wealth. These displays of opulence were seen by many as a slap in the face to struggling Nigerians, a con­stant reminder of the stark econom­ic disparities within the nation.

What made this situation even more unbearable for many was the decision of these purported bene­ficiaries to donate millions, even billions, of Naira to the construc­tion of IBB’s library. This act was perceived by many as a tone-deaf gesture, a misplacement of prior­ities in a country grappling with myriad challenges.

The question on the minds of many Nigerians was whether a li­brary, however noble its purpose, was the most pressing need in a na­tion grappling with poverty, unem­ployment, inadequate healthcare, and a failing education system.

This situation underscored a fun­damental disconnect between the priorities of the political elite and the daily realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

Despite the euphemisms often employed, particularly by those from the Northern and South West regions of Nigeria, and in acknowledging IBB’s narrative re­garding the January 15, 1966, coup, I am grateful that he has presented a perspective that vindicates the Igbo people.

According to IBB’s historical account, the coup was not an Igbo conspiracy. Instead, it was orches­trated by all regional military offi­cers, with participation from some Igbo officers. Their objective was to depose Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and install Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was imprisoned in Calabar for treason at the time. The characterization of the coup as an “Igbo coup” arose only after its failure. Tragically, millions of Igbos were subsequently killed and are still continuing to endure a misguided campaign of hatred and slander. The South-East re­gion, predominantly populated by the Igbo ethnic group, has endured immense suffering both during and after the devastating Nigerian Civil War. The scars of conflict run deep, leaving behind a legacy of pain and displacement.

What makes this situation even more disheartening is the venom­ous hatred directed towards the Igbos despite the passage of 55 years since the end of the war with a soothing declaration of “3Rs” – Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation – the venom of prej­udice continues to poison inter-eth­nic relations. These fabrications, sadly though, have come at a heavy price, resulting in the loss of inno­cent lives, the seizure of properties, and the relentless suppression and marginalization of an entire race.

It is a tragedy that a group of people continues to be unjustly de­monized and held accountable for a narrative built on lies, a narrative they had no part in constructing. The unfortunate reality is that many Igbos, despite having no in­volvement in the actions of a few young military officers, bear the brunt of a nation grappling with deeply rooted prejudices.

The mainstream media’s indif­ference towards highlighting the in­justices and prejudice faced by the Igbo people could be interpreted as a tacit complicity in perpetuating the narrative that the January 15, 1966, coup was an Igbo-orchestrated event. This perspective overlooks the intricate involvement of actors from both the North and Southwest, who played a pivotal role in shaping the events of that period. Nigeria’s healing begins with truthful histori­cal narratives and a national ideolo­gy that values every citizen equally.

Instead of arguing about past coups, we should prioritize truth, peace, justice, equity, respect, and unity, as declared in Nigeria’s inde­pendence declaration.

Our focus should be on reha­bilitating Nigeria from its current state of regression, corruption, in­surgency, and malnutrition, rather than perpetuating ethnic division. While IBB might have profited from exploiting Nigeria through his ‘chop I chop’ corrupt policies, his narrative challenging the sole blame on Igbos for the January 15, 1966, coup is my ultimate take, and worth being commended.

Although, this narrative alone is not enough for me not to question the hero-worship of a dictator, who had derailed the best of democra­cy and caused much more suffering for many vulnerable citizens. A sce­nario that tend to applaud corrupt individuals that were impunitively rewarded with open cheques to our nation’s treasury… Yes, you heard me… but don’t forget that I come in PEACE.

Dr. Sunny Oby Maduka (DSM), is an Author, Resource Personality, Management Consultant/Trainer, Chartered/Certified -Auditor/ Accountant, Financial Compliance Expert, Economic/Political Analyst Strategist, Marine Expert and Motivationist)