Tinubu, Atiku greet Babangida at 83

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have congratulated Nigeria’s former head of state, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, on his 83rd birthday. General Babangida, fondly called IBB, was Nigeria’s military president from 1985 to 1993. In a statement, Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, acknowledged the role of […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have congratulated Nigeria’s former head of state, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, on his 83rd birthday.

General Babangida, fondly called IBB, was Nigeria’s military president from 1985 to 1993.

In a statement, Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, acknowledged the role of General Babangida in the “sculpting of modern Nigeria, and commends him for his services to the nation.”

Tinubu saluted the former head of state on the special occasion, noting his endeavours towards the development of the nation, especially in infrastructure and otherwise, notably the completion of the Third Mainland Bridge which at the time was the longest bridge in Africa.

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Atiku, in his tribute, stated that in an era overshadowed by the divisive forces of ethno-religious prejudice in our national politics, “IBB serves as a reminder of the importance of striving for unity in diversity. While some scholarly works draw parallels between IBB’s statecraft and the strategies outlined in Niccolo Machiavelli’s writings, highlighting his prowess as a strategic thinker, I hold a contrasting view. I believe that the IBB administration pursued altruistic goals in its moral quest for a nation where our diversity could be effectively managed through a shared commitment to unity.”

Atiku further said, “IBB’s federalist orientation is evident in the composition of his administration.

“Today, unlike in the past, we witness the troubling display of bigotry and ethnocentric divisions in our nation, with individuals in positions of authority often promoting such divisive behaviours.

“Regrettably, contemporary politics has become polarized as some politicians hold the misguided belief that power must be pursued at any cost.  As we commemorate General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on his 83rd birthday, let us reflect on our values regarding national unity and the promotion of Nigeria as a nation where primordial tendencies have no place for growth.

“It is the desire for such a rebirth that I am again calling on opposition political parties in the country to come together and make our democracy worth its name.”