IBB internally battered and bruised

IBB: Internally battered and bruised

In all the history of humanity, there has always been one guiding constant in man's search for meaning and fulfillment. This guiding constant in its true essence has always been the issue of self-preservation. Our actions whether conscious or otherwise and regardless of the consequences of such actions, will, and do inevitably play a defining role in how we are ultimately viewed, in the final analysis.

It is therefore not surprising to see this attempt at self-preservation (almost re-invention) by an individual who is so "Internally Battered and Bruised...IBB that is...one is made to wonder, what next?

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, although blessed with so much personal charisma, was always overtaken by a destructive penchant for complexities and delusions. It is in fact these same delusions that are playing a major role in his so-called quest for self-preservation. If not, how is one to explain his (IBBs) continued belief that there was anything even remotely positive about his tyrannical and callous reign. What, with the downward trend in all the social and economic indicators spanning a period of almost two decades. It was infact Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the maximum ruler approximate...that turned Nigeria, God's own land, into his personal village.

As a fallout of the "august" gathering in Jos of Babangida and his cronies, the self-styled military despot is said to have stated that his government was always guided by the maxim: "Who dares wins." May I please re-phrase that to read "Who dares breathe!" Yes, Nigeria and Nigerians were subjected to a de-humanising and suffocating reign of terror characterized by state sanctioned murders, debilitating graft, fallen educational standards, untold economic hardship, moral decay, loss of human dignity and integrity, moribund infrastructure, greed and avarice. Nigeria descended to a level that was at best unfathomable to any one, Nigerian or otherwise that was aware of the abundance of so much talent and possibilities in our land. And now, IBB, the "maradona" of Nigerian politics, the artful dodger and "kingmaker", now seeks personal redemption, not from Nigerians, but from himself. He will in fact succeed in doing this, as his major preoccupation has always been with himself (and at all cost).

However, redemption and forgiveness from the people he inflicted so much abuse upon, may prove to be quite elusive...moreover in the current climate both within and outside the borders of our beloved country.

According to a Guardian piece by Isa Abdulsalami: "Babangida weighs own era, accepts blames", the speech given in Jos, Plateau State, by the former dictator was aptly titled "We have re-engineered Nigeria." How appropriate and befitting one might say. IBB did in-fact re-engineer Nigeria...to the brink of destruction and wanton despair, that is! The former dictator stated further: "Statecraft in essence is about taking decisions and solving problems. Both require courage, resolve and nerves, but more especially foresight and fortitude. Statecraft is also, above all, concerned with engineering."

How profound I must say. May I please remind the artful obfuscator that what in fact transpired during his reign was definitely not an exercise in "statecraft" but an exercise in "roguecraft" "pillagecraft" and "plundercraft"! The former dictator was indeed right when he said that the country was "only a hair's breadth away from the brink." I guess this must be what IBBs so-called idea of social engineering is all about.

His transition programme was not only full of turns and twists, it was in fact laden with mischief and treachery. As a result of his lack of foresight and dysfunctional psyche, scores of innocent people from all works of life, lost their precious lives and loved ones. Why? Because of the evil and clandestine machinations of a disturbed individual that saw, and still sees himself as an overlord!

Things have indeed gotten to a head in this political crucible called Nigeria. The very sore and tender wounds are still just that...sore and extremely tender! They are however further re-opened and more deeply I might add, by these sordid and shameless attempt at revisionist history from a man who has brought so much pain, so much suffering and so much despair upon a proud and glorious people!

Sometimes, in my time of reflection and introspection, I often wondered if Babangida and Abacha were truly Nigerians. How else could one explain their wanton misrule over a span of two decades to the extent that a country as great as Nigeria was virtually brought to its knees. You can not claim to be a patriot and then proceed to systematically destroy every organ of civil society in existence!

While it may have been true that many Nigerians of distinction and integrity did in fact accept to serve in his government at its inception, those people however lost their dignity and self-respect over time (with the exception of those who may have voluntarily resigned). Babangida was the master at corrupting even the most incorruptible person. He was and still is well noted for that. His ability to work that personal charm (accentuated by the much vaunted gap-tooth smile) coupled with his "seductive" political aura, was always enough to get people to see things his way... and ultimately do them his way.

What invariably happened was that all across the Nigerian political landscape, everyone and everything had a price. The conscience of a nation had been lost forever...and may in fact never be regained. All over the world, Nigerians, especially southerners who had worked so hard to give the country a good name with their documented successes in the fields of education, science and technology, as well as business, were now looked upon as criminals, hoodlums and ne'er do wells. The truth is, the real hoodlums and thugs were the ones running the country...Babangida and his mischief makers.

Babangida stressed in his address that his was an era in which only the brave could cope. Let me correct this by saying that his era was in fact one in which only the insane could cope! Nigerians are and will always be brave people. They definitely did not need to be pushed to the edge of destruction all on the account of one individual in order to test their resolve.

History, I must say is however replete with characters like Babangida. Their ignorant arrogance, masked intellectual illiteracy and resulting delusions of grandeur, seem to forever cloud their judgement...even when things are so apparent. Babangida is an individual that probably wishes he were dead. Why? He would, without any question prefer death to the present situation that has him effectively ostracized from civil society. He is more than welcome to continue his process of self-reinvention to the highest heavens. He must however realize that no one made his bed but himself, and as such he must lie in it...just the way he made it!

Soboyejo Alaba Awosika-Coker Seattle, WA, U.S.A.