# ThrowBack : IBB’s Speech After He Overthrew General
Buhari In 1985 (READ)
Barely two years into General Muhammadu Buhari’s military
administration, when the country was driving in the path of
a Nigeria which was characterized by stern decrees and
policies and what many people thought was high-
handedness on the part of the Buhari and his second in
command, Tunde Idiagbon, his government was toppled by
a coup.
On Tuesday, August 27, 1985 a palace coup was plotted
against the Gen Buhari-led government on the allegation that
the government was guilty of dictatorial lack of consultation
with the existing military colleagues, gross abuse of human
rights, exemplified by mass detention of politicians and
military officers without due process of fair hearing,
proscription of professional organizations, media robbery of
the freedom of press and enforcement of retrospective laws.
“Regrettably, it turned out that Major-General Muhammadu
Buhari was too rigid and uncompromising in his attitudes to
issues of national significance,” Babangida said in his
takeover speech. “Efforts to make him understand that a
diverse polity like Nigeria required recognition and
appreciation of differences in both cultural and individual
perceptions, only served to aggravate these attitudes.”
Find below the full transcript of the speech by Ibrahim
Badamosi Babangida, given on Tuesday, August 27, 1985:
Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida
Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and late business mogul,
Moshood Abiola in an undated photo
Fellow Nigerians, When in December 1983, the former
military leadership, headed by Major-General Muhammadu
Buhari, assumed the reins of government, its accession was
heralded in the history of this country.
With the nation at the mercy of political misdirection and on
the brink of economic collapse, a new sense of hope was
created in the minds of every Nigerian. Since January 1984,
however, we have witnessed a systematic denigration of
that hope. It was stated then that mismanagement of
political leadership and a general deterioration in the
standard of living, which had subjected the common man to
intolerable suffering, were the reasons for the intervention.
Nigerians have since then been under a regime that
continued with those trends. Events today indicate that most
of the reasons which justified the military takeover of
government from the civilians still persist. The initial
objectives were betrayed and fundamental changes do not
appear on the horizon. Because the present state of
uncertainty, suppression and stagnation resulted from the
perpetration of a small group, the Nigerian Armed Forces
could not as a part of that government be unfairly
committed to take responsibility for failure.
Our dedication to the cause of ensuring that our nation
remains a united entity worthy of respect and capable of
functioning as a viable and credible part of the international
community dictated the need to arrest the situation. Let me
at this point attempt to make you understand the premise
upon which it became necessary to change the leadership.
The principles of discussions, consultation and co-operation
which should have guided decision-making process of the
Supreme Military Council and the Federal Executive Council
were disregarded soon after the government settled down in
1984. Where some of us thought it appropriate to give a little
more time, anticipating a conducive atmosphere that would
develop, in which affairs of state could be attended to with
greater sense of responsibility, it became increasingly clear
that such expectations could not be fulfilled. Regrettably, it
turned out that Major-General Muhammadu Buhari was too
rigid and uncompromising in his attitudes to issues of
national significance.
Efforts to make him understand that a diverse polity like
Nigeria required recognition and appreciation of differences
in both cultural and individual perceptions, only served to
aggravate these attitudes. Major-General Tunde Idiagbon
was similarly inclined in that respect. As Chief of Staff,
Supreme Headquarters, he failed to exhibit the appropriate
disposition demanded by his position.
He arrogated to himself absolute knowledge of problems
and solutions, and acted in accordance with what was
convenient to him, using the machinery of government as
his tool. A combination of these characteristics in the two
most important persons holding the nation’s vital offices
became impossible to content with. The situation was made
worse by a number of other government functionaries and
organisations, chief among which is the Nigerian Security
Organisation (NSO).
In fact, this body will be overhauled and re-organized. And
so it came to be that the same government which received
the tumultuous welcome now became alienated from the
people. To prevent a complete erosion of our given mandate
therefore, we had to act so that hope may be rebuilt. Let me
now address your attention to the major issues that
confront us, so that we may, as one people, chart a future
direction for our dear country.
We do not pretend to have all the answers to the questions
which our present problems have put before our nation. We
have come with the strongest determination to create an
atmosphere in which positive efforts shall be given the
necessary support for lasting solutions. For matters of the
moment which require immediate resolutions, we intend to
pursue a determined programme of action.
Major issues falling into this category have been identified
and decisions taken on what should be done. Firstly, the
issue of political detainees or convicts of special military
tribunals. The history of our nation had never recorded the
degree of indiscipline and corruption as in the period
between October 1979 and December 1983. While this
government recognises the bitterness created by the
irresponsible excesses of the politicians, we consider it
unfortunate that methods of such nature as to cause more
bitterness were applied to deal with past misdeeds. We
must never allow ourselves to lose our sense of natural
justice. The innocent cannot suffer the crimes of the guilty.
The guilty should be punished only as a lesson for the
future. In line with this government’s intention to uphold
fundamental human rights, the issue of detainees will be
looked into with despatch. As we do not intend to lead a
country where individuals are under the fear of expressing
themselves, the Public Officers Protection Against False
Accusation Decree 4 of 1984 is hereby repealed. And finally,
those who have been in detention under this decree are
hereby unconditionally released.
The responsibility of the media to disseminate information
shall be exercised without undue hindrance. In that process,
those responsible are expected to be forthright and to have
the nation’s interest as their primary consideration. The
issue of decrees has generated a lot of controversies.
It is the intention of this government to review all other
decrees. The last twenty months have not witnessed any
significant changes in the national economy. Contrary to
expectations, we have so far been subjected to a steady
deterioration in the general standard of living; and
intolerable suffering by the ordinary Nigerians have risen
higher, scarcity of commodities has increased, hospitals still
remain mere consulting clinics, while educational
institutions are on the brink of decay.
Unemployment has stretched to critical dimensions. Due to
the stalemate, which arose in negotiation with the
International Monetary Fund, the former government
embarked on a series of counter-trade agreements. Under
the counter-trade agreements, Nigerians were forced to buy
goods and commodities at higher prices than obtained in
the international market.
The government intends to review the whole issue of
counter-trade. A lot has been said and heard about our
position with the International Monetary Fund. Although we
formally applied to the fund in April 1983, no progress has
as yet been made in the negotiation and a stalemate has
existed for the last two years. We shall break the deadlock
that frustrated the negotiations with a view to evaluating
more objectively both the negative and positive implications
of reaching a mutual agreement with the Fund.
At all times in the course of discussions, our representatives
will be guided by the feelings and aspirations of the Nigerian
people. It is the view of this government that austerity
without structural adjustment is not the solution to our
economic predicament. The present situation whereby 44
per cent of our revenue earning is utilised to service debts is
not realistic.
To protect the danger this poses to the poor and the needy
in our society, steps will be taken to ensure comprehensive
strategy of economic reforms. The crux of our economic
problems has been identified to centre around four
fundamental issues:
1. A decrease of our domestic production, while our
population continues to increase.
2. Dependence on import for both consumer goods and raw
materials for our industries.
3. A grossly unequal gap between the rich and the poor.
4. The large role played by the public sector in economic
activity with hardly any concrete results to justify such a
role.
These are the problems we must confront.
ON FOREIGN POLICY: Nigeria’s foreign policy in the last 20
months has been characterised by inconsistency and
incoherence. It has lacked the clarity to make us know
where we stood on matters of international concern to
enable other countries relate to us with seriousness. Our
role as Africa’s spokesman has diminished because we
have been unable to maintain the respect of African
countries.
The ousted military government conducted our external
relations by a policy of retaliatory reactions. Nigeria became
a country that has reacted to given situations, rather than
taking the initiative as it should and always been done. More
so, vengeful considerations. must not be the basis of our
diplomacy. African problems and their solutions should
constitute the premise of our foreign policy. The realisation
of the Organisation of African Unity of the Lagos Plan of
Action for self-sufficiency and constructive co-operation in
Africa shall be our primary pursuit. The Economic
Community of West African States must be reborn with the
view to achieving the objective of regional integration.
The problems of drought-stricken areas of Africa will be
given more attention and sympathy, and our best efforts will
be made to assist in their rehabilitation within the limits of
our resources. Our membership of the United Nations
Organisation will be made more practical and meaningful.
The call for a new International Economic Order which lost
its momentum in the face of the debt crisis will be made
once again. Nigeria hereby makes a renewed request to the
Non-Aligned Movement to regroup and reinvigorate its
determination to restructure the global economic system,
while we appeal to the industrialized nations to positively
consider the debt plight of the developing countries and
assist in dealing with the dangers that face us.
We shall remain members of the various multilateral
institutions and inter-governmental organisations which we
belong to and do what must be done to enhance the
membership and participation within them. Fellow Nigerians,
this country has had since independence a history mixed
with turbulence and fortune.
We have witnessed our rise to greatness, followed with a
decline to the state of a bewildered nation. Our human
potentials have been neglected, our natural resources put to
waste. A phenomenon of constant insecurity and
overbearing uncertainty has become characteristic of our
national existence. My colleagues and I are determined to
change the course of history.
This government is determined to unite this country. We
shall not allow anything to obstruct us.
We recognise that a
government, be it civilian or military, needs the consent of
the people to govern if it is to reach its objective. We do not
intend to rule by force. At the same time, we should not be
expected to submit to unreasonable demands.
Fundamental
rights and civil liberties will be respected, but their exercise
must not degenerate into irrational expression nor border on
subversion.
The War Against Indiscipline will continue, but this time, in
the minds and conduct of Nigerians, and not by way of
symbolism or money-spending campaigns.
This
government, on its part, will ensure that the leadership
exhibits proper example.
Criticisms of actions and decisions taken by us will be given
necessary attention and where necessary changes made in
accordance with what is expected of us. Let me reiterate
what we said in 1984: This generation of Nigerians and
indeed future generations have no other country but Nigeria.
We must all stay and salvage it together. This time it shall
be pursued with deeper commitment and genuine sincerity.

There is a lot of work to be done by every single Nigerian.
Let us all dedicate ourselves to the cause of building a
strong, united and viable nation for the sake of our own
lives and the benefits of posterity. Finally, I wish to
commend the members of the Armed Forces and the
Nigeria Police for their mature conduct during the change. I
thank you all for your co-operation and understanding. God
bless Nigeria.

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K

Unfortunately the man has not changed! Under his watch the law court has become a mockery.

He can't Change

Nonsense! IBB is the architect of most of our present day problem.