A long time ago, in 1985, Nigeria had two military leaders: General Muhammadu Buhari and Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon. They were in charge of the country, but then something big happened—another military officer, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), led a group of soldiers to remove them from power. But why did he do that?
Babangida Reveals the Truth in His Book
Recently, Babangida launched his autobiography, A Journey in Service, in Abuja on February 20, 2025. In the book, he explains many things about his time as a leader, including why he removed Buhari from power.
What Was Happening in Nigeria?
Before Buhari became the leader, Nigeria had a civilian government led by President Shehu Shagari. But in 1983, Buhari and other military officers took over because they believed the country was not doing well.
Buhari wanted to make things better, so he introduced strict rules to stop corruption and indiscipline. He made people form neat lines (queues) when buying food, arrested politicians for corruption, and punished those who broke the rules. But not everyone liked his way of leading.
Why Did Babangida Remove Buhari?
Even though Buhari had good intentions, Babangida and many others in the military felt that:
- Buhari and Idiagbon were too strict – They acted like they were perfect and did not listen to advice.
- Harsh punishments – People were scared because small mistakes led to severe punishments.
- Food shortages – Many basic items like sugar and milk were hard to find, and people had to wait in long lines to buy them.
- A struggling economy – The government controlled everything, but businesses were suffering.
- Unhappy soldiers – Some military officers felt left out and wanted a change in leadership.
- Babangida’s personal concerns – He believed Buhari did not trust him and was even spying on his phone calls.
Because of these reasons, Babangida and other military officers decided to take over the government. On August 27, 1985, they removed Buhari without any major violence.
What Happened After Buhari Was Removed?
After the coup, Babangida became Nigeria’s new leader. He removed some of Buhari’s strict rules and allowed businesses to operate more freely. But his time in power also had its own problems, including corruption and economic struggles.
Why Is This Important?
This story teaches us that leadership is challenging. Some leaders use strict rules, while others give people more freedom. But what really matters is whether leaders improve people’s lives. Even today, Nigeria still faces challenges, and its leaders must find the best ways to make the country better for everyone.
