Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has revealed how the former head of state General Sani Abacha deceived politicians to get into power.
Abacha ruled the country from 1993 until his death in 1998.
IBB disclosed this is an interview with Trust TV, monitored in Abuja.
He said, “Abacha’s government was very smart. They knew who were the most vociferous discussants about the election, about the coup, about June 12 and so on. They started talking to them and sold a dummy to them and encouraged them to get rid of the interim government; ‘when we get rid of the interim government, we will bring you back to come and take over your democracy so that a civilian government would be installed’.
“They sold that dummy to the public and to some prominent persons within the society, and when Abacha stepped in, there were drumming and sighs; ‘Good thing! Next thing is going to be a democratically-elected government’. I knew, we knew, that it wouldn’t be because the argument was: ‘Why should I risk my life only to come and hand over power to you?’ That was what happened.”
IBB said he was not surprised when Abacha toppled Chief Ernest Shonekan’s national government.
“I knew it would come as a surprise because even though I was outside – outside the service – I knew what was going on,” the former military ruler said.
