By Olaitan Ibrahim
Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria’s former military president fondly called ‘IBB’ by admirers and foes alike is set to grab headlines again with the scheduled launch of his autobiography 32 years after he left office.
The launch of the memoir titled , ‘A Journey in Service,’ scheduled for February 20 at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, will also be used to raise funds for the former military ruler’s presidential library.
The Board of Trustees of the IBB Presidential Library Foundation announced sends out invitations for the book launch and fundraiser early in the week.
According to the Board, the event would be chaired by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, while President Bola Tinubu has been invited as the special guest of honour.
Also, keynote address will be delivered by the former President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The autobiography will be reviewed by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Other notable guests expected at the include former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan.
Former Minister of Defence Theophilus Danjuma and BUA Group Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu were named as chief launchers.
Babangida’s tenure as head of state from 1985 to 1993 was marked by series of controversies including the execution of his close friend and colleague, Mamman Vatsa for coup plot and his seemingly endless transitions to civil rule programmes that culminated in the annulment of 12, June 1993 presidential election won by late Moshood Abiola.
The agitations that followed the annulment of the election that is still being described as the freest and fairest to be conducted in the country forced Babangida to step aside from power in 1993.
He handed over to an interim government led by a civilian, Earnest Shonekan. Shonekan’s government was toppled by General Sanni Abacha after some months in office.
Abacha proceeded to unleash a brutal reign of terror on the country before he died in office in 1998, this, paving way for Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Many Nigerians believe that Babangida has not been forthcoming with reasons for the annulment of the June 12 election as well as the many twists and turns of his administration that earned his the nickname ‘Maradona’ since he left office and retired to his expansive hilltop mansion in Minna, Niger State.
It is hoped that the new book by Babangida will answer their curiosities.