Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, has disclosed that one of the reasons he led the overthrow of General Muhammadu Buhari as Head of State in 1985 was his holier-than-thou posturing.
Babangida, commonly called IBB, also alleged Buhari’s decision to spy on his calls, among other reasons, in his new book, “A JOURNEY IN SERVICE – An Autobiography.”
Babangida was Chief of Army Staff to Buhari, who had also ousted Shehu Shagari’s civilian government in the December 31, 1983 coup.
He said in the book that Buhari’s policies and leadership style also made him dissatisfied with the government.
Babangida alleged that Buhari and his then deputy, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, carried themselves as saints and monopolised power to the exclusion of the rest of the military.
The book read, “After the military coup that replaced the civilian government of Shehu Shagari with a military regime led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida assumed the role of Chief of Army Staff.
“However, he became increasingly dissatisfied with the Buhari government’s policies and leadership style, which he believed were detrimental to the nation’s progress. This dissatisfaction eventually led to its ouster in 1985, and he took office as the military president.”
Babangida said tension had begun to build up since the start of the year in which Buhari was overthrown, and a change in leadership had become necessary. (Thisday)