*Expect good, bad ugly criticisms from your book, OBJ says
*Soothsayers had predicted IBB’s emergence in 1952 – Gen. Abubakar
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday recalled how he once challenged the former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, and told him that he failed to make history.
On his part, former President Olusegun Obasanjo told Babangida, to expect good, bad and ugly reactions to the book he has write from Nigeria’s as he foresees, a bombardment and sharp criticisms on the facts contained in the work.
But providing a clue as to debunk all the claims of pursuing a selfish agenda by IBB, former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), revealed how a soothsayer predicted the emergence of Ibrahim Babamasi Babangida (IBB) as Nigeria’s head of state.
He said the prediction was made in 1952, 33 years Before IBB became Nigeria’s leader.
This left many wondering if IBB was not pursuing to actualise the words of the soothsayer, rather than pursuing a patriotic path as he had been claiming.
Babangida, former military dictator, ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993. He is renowned for annulling the June 12, 1993 presidential election which he has now accepted, was won by the late businessman, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Babangida was Nigeria’s leader when Tinubu was elected to the Senate to represent Lagos-West in 1992.
The book titled, “A Journey in Service”, is an autobiography of Babangida. The occasion also included fundraising for a presidential library.
Speaking at Babangida’s book launch in Abuja Thursday, Tinubu recalled how he then confronted Babangida for always postponing their inauguration after winning election.
He said that he feared he would be imprisoned for confronting the then head of state.
“I confronted you that you had an opportunity to make history that day and you failed to do it. Why not inaugurate us? Why are you calling us back and postponing the inauguration?
“They thought I would end up in jail. You came out right at the end of the remark, you shook me. I can’t forget that,” Tinubu said amid applause from the crowd.
The President also hailed the former head of state for his contributions to national building, narrating how Babangida inspired him in politics.
“Without you, people like me won’t be in politics. Your progressive revolution to say that you want young, brilliant people in politics, you inspire some of us,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Babangida shared an insight as to why he annulled the June 12 presidential election, 32 years after claiming he acted to protect the country’s interest, which many Nigerians dismissed as purely selfish.
Obasanjo who chaired the occasion, said by writing the book, Babangida had not only contributed to history making, he had contributed to documenting history.
Obasanjo said: “You have not only contributed to history, you have contributed to documenting history.
“It is an important part of our nation building to keep accurate records. Please don’t be unduly worried about critics and put him down syndrome.
“It may even be an indication of success, but take note of objective criticism.
“A chronic critic of mine, the late Tunji Braithwhite, may his soul rest in perfect peace, condemned a book of mine. And when asked if he had read it, he answered in the negative.
“He said he had not read it, and said that once Obasanjo was the writer, it must be condemned.”
Gen. Abubakar speaking during the book launch stated that, “while we were growing up in the little town of Minna about 80 years ago, as far back as 1952, a soothsayer told us that IBB was going to be the head of state of this country”.
Although he did not disclose those who were with him when the soothsayer made the statement, he added: “We never believed him. Then Captain Gowon, a young smart officer, lured us to join the military and when we joined the army, all our hope was to get to the rank of a captain and retire.
“God in His mercy propelled us to become generals and by the grace of God, both of us later became heads of state. No moment goes by when we remember our escapades that it doesn’t bring smiles to our face.”
As it turned out, both leaders would go on to rule Africa’s most populous nation at different times as generals.
IBB was Nigeria’s military ruler from 1985 to 1993 while Abubakar served as head of state from 1998 to 1999 and midwifed the transition to civil rule programme.
The book launch was attended by President Bola Tinubu, former head of state, Yakubu Gowon, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice-Presidents, Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, among others dignitaries.
