Human Rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has faulted the description of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), known as IBB, as a statesman, insisting that such accolades only help to legitimise the ‘evils’ he claimed were inflicted on Nigerians during Babangida’s regime.
In a terse statement via his verified 𝕏 account on Tuesday, Farotimi accused Nigerians of engaging in what he described as mutual affirmation strategies that sanitise leaders with a questionable legacy.
“Not telling these ruinous cretins exactly what they are contributes towards the normalization of the evils that they have visited on the people. This mutual affirmation strategy is what has helped to sustain the evil. IBB is no statesman, and you can stop lying to yourself,” he wrote.
Adesina’s Birthday Tribute That Sparked Debate
It was reports that Farotimi’s comments came shortly after former African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, celebrated Babangida in a birthday message, hailing him as one of Nigeria’s “foremost elder-statesmen.”
Adesina, in his tribute, praised the former military ruler’s “patriotic fervour, devotion and commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress,” while wishing him good health on the occasion of his 84th birthday.
Adesina wrote: “I congratulate Nigeria’s former Head of State, H.E. General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, on the occasion of his 84th birthday. As one of Nigeria’s foremost elder-statesmen, you continue to inspire the nation with your patriotic fervor, unrelenting devotion and unreserved commitment to the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria. Your life is characterized by total service marked with resilience.
May God continue to grant you good health, strength, vitality, and happiness, surrounded with the love of your family and all who love you, today and always. Happy Birthday Sir! With much love from Yemisi and I. Akin.”
The public commendation, however, sparked reactions online, with Farotimi standing out as one of the most critical voices against what he sees as an attempt to whitewash history.
Babangida’s Controversial Legacy
It was reports that IBB, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, remains one of the country’s most controversial leaders.
His regime is remembered for the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely adjudged to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO Abiola).
While supporters often describe him as a pragmatic leader who introduced economic reforms such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), critics argue that his policies entrenched corruption, worsened poverty, and deepened Nigeria’s socio-political crises.
Farotimi’s fiery post, however, has reignited the debate over how Nigerians should remember Babangida-as an elder statesman deserving of national honour, or as a leader whose actions left lasting scars on the nation.
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