The Cable
Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) is a stalwart in the murky terrain of Nigerian politics. Sitting on the gilded stool of an elder statesman, politicians pander, kowtow, grovel for his attention. At the turn of each election cycle, his Hilltop mansion on the outskirts of Minna, Niger state, becomes something of a “political Mecca” where entourages of power-seeking politicians visit on ”pilgrimage” just to include their names in coveted headlines that read “IBB endorse …” Almost kingmaker-like, they mill around him for recognition, and he rarely disappoints them.
On Thursday, he anointed another politician for the seat of president come 2023. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was the individual he endorsed, describing him as the kind of good man that Nigeria needs to run smoothly. IBB gave the recognition after members of Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation (OGO) visited him at his abode in Niger state.
For an elder statesman like IBB to speak so glowingly about an individual it should be sacred and impactful, yet it felt almost pedestrian. Because of the former military dictator’s history of almost always anointing any politician that deems him prestigious enough to pay homage.
Here are some presidential aspirants who have been endorsed by IBB.
RIBADU, NIGERIA NEEDS TO TURN HER FORTUNE AROUND”
Ahead of the 2011 presidential election, IBB backed the return of the presidency to the north, following the demise of Umaru Yar’Adua while in office. He claimed Goodluck Jonathan, who was seeking re-election after finishing his late principal’s tenure, should not run because the ticket belonged to Yar’Adua and the north, by extension.
Hence, he endorsed the candidature of Nuhu Ribadu and Fola Adeola of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) after the duo visited him at his home in Minna.
He described the candidates as “the pair that the country needs to turn her fortune around”.
“I endorse generational change, which Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu and Alhaji Fola Adeola stand for. I have strong faith in them, and I believe they can deliver the goods,” IBB had said.
“Someone asked me who my candidate is, and I analysed the situation. The fact is that the country needs people of your age (young) to take over the leadership of the country.
“I believe we have to allow generational change, which the ACN candidate represents. That is why; I endorsed and supported Alhaji Ribadu and Alhaji Fola. We have faith in them and we have hope in them.”
ENDORSING BOTH BUHARI AND JONATHAN IN 2015
With a few days to the 2015 presidential election, a visit by Muhammadu Buhari, then-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spurred IBB to endorse the former’s ambition.
Osinbajo, the then-presidential running mate of the APC, was first to announce the claim in a tweet, saying, “General Babangida has thrown his weight behind General Buhari. He says Buhari is the right man to move Nigeria forward”.
Dino Melaye, former senator representing Kogi west senatorial district and then APC member, re-echoed Osinbajo’s claims.
“IBB endorses Buhari, IBB says ‘We will all support Buhari to be president,’” he wrote.
In a shocking twist of events, a couple of weeks later, IBB also slammed his seal of approval on Goodluck Jonathan, who was seeking re-election to the office of the president.
He said Nigeria is in “safe hands” with Jonathan as the president.
