By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
In his newly launched book, A Journey in Service, former military president Ibrahim Babangida has revealed that his close ally and colleague, General Sani Abacha, plotted a violent coup to remove him from office.
Babangida, who oversaw the country’s military regime from 1985 to 1993, disclosed the shocking details of Abacha’s intentions during a book launch event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday.
Abacha, who later led the military junta that ousted the transitional government of Ernest Shonekan, opposed the process of handing over power to a civilian administration.
Babangida reflected on his interactions with Abacha, admitting that at various points, he feared for his own safety and the well-being of those around him.
He also questioned why Abacha was not retired earlier to prevent the issues that would later lead to his own downfall.
“There was no pact between Abacha and me,” Babangida clarified in his book, addressing speculation about a secret agreement between the two.
Despite his growing concerns, Babangida chose not to take drastic action against Abacha or other opposition forces in the military, fearing it could lead to bloodshed due to the deep divisions within the armed forces.
Babangida expressed regret over his decision to not neutralize the opposition earlier, especially the Abacha-backed ABC News (ABN), which he accused of disrupting the transition process.
Reflecting on his time in power, Babangida admitted that his instincts told him to take a stronger stand against Abacha, but the unstable political environment made such a move dangerous.
This revelation offers new insight into the tense relationship between the two military leaders and the challenges Babangida faced as he navigated the difficult road to civilian rule.