By Cheta Nwanze
To die for a people devoid of memory is to be killed over and over, again and again.” – Dele Farotimi
This poignant statement encapsulates the tragedy of Nigeria’s collective amnesia, a country that too often forgets its heroes and forgives its villains. This amnesia is a profound tragedy, a recurring failure to remember its heroes and a disturbing tendency to forgive its villains. This selective memory has allowed figures like Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), a man whose legacy is steeped in controversy, to be celebrated rather than shunned. In a society that values accountability, IBB would be a pariah, his name synonymous with betrayal and repression. Instead, he is revered as a statesman, his crimes buried under the weight of time and the complicity of a nation that refuses to confront its past.
The recent launch of IBB’s memoir has brought this collective failure of memory into sharp focus. The event was attended by a who’s who of Nigeria’s political elite, past leaders and politicians who gathered to honour a man whose actions have left an indelible stain on the country’s history. This moral bankruptcy is emblematic of Nigeria’s ruling class, a group that prioritises power and privilege over justice and accountability. Their willingness to celebrate IBB, despite his role in some of Nigeria’s darkest moments, underscores the deep-rooted corruption and ethical decay that continue to plague the country.
While I have not yet read IBB’s memoir, the public discourse surrounding it suggests that the book is a masterclass in revisionism, an attempt to rewrite history and absolve himself of responsibility. One of the most egregious claims attributed to the memoir is that IBB was a mere passenger in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. This election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, was won by MKO Abiola, a man who embodied the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians. Yet, IBB’s regime annulled the election, plunging the country into a crisis that would claim lives, destroy dreams, and set back the cause of democracy for years.
It would appear that IBB waited until most of his accomplices in the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) had all died before releasing his memoir, portraying himself as a victim, a man who was powerless in the face of forces beyond his control. Right now, only Halilu Akilu, Murtala Nyako and Raji Rasaki are still alive and the three of them weren’t senior enough to contradict him.
If the reactions I have seen to the memoir are true, IBB’s narrative is not only dishonest but deeply damning. It reveals a man devoid of character, unwilling to take responsibility for his actions and eager to shift the blame onto others who can no longer defend themselves. Allegations that the memoir is filled with accusations against dead men and women suggest a cowardly attempt to rewrite history without fear of contradiction. This lack of integrity, if accurate, would be perhaps the most damning indictment of IBB’s legacy.
A question that must be asked is how a man so devoid of character and values was allowed to rise to such heights of power. How did IBB, a man whose regime was marked by corruption, repression, and the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, become a celebrated figure in Nigeria’s history? For a generation, he wielded power with impunity, orchestrating coups, annulling elections, and enriching himself at the expense of the nation. Don’t forget Dele Giwa, Gloria Okon and Mamman Vatsa, or the fact that we all became visibly poorer during his regime, and corruption became a thing during his regime. His regime was indeed a dark chapter in Nigeria’s history, yet today, he is celebrated as a statesman, his crimes forgotten or forgiven. Kai!
This collective amnesia is not just a failure of memory but a failure of justice. MKO Abiola, who won the June 12 election, paid the ultimate price for his commitment to democracy. He was imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately killed for daring to challenge the status quo. His sacrifice should never be forgotten, yet memory is a fleeting thing in Nigeria. We forget too easily, too willingly. We forget the heroes who stood for justice and the villains who betrayed them. We forget the lessons of the past, only to repeat the same mistakes in the present.
Nigeria must confront its history with honesty and courage to build a future worthy of Abiola’s sacrifice. This means holding figures like IBB accountable for their actions, not celebrating them as statesmen. It means remembering the heroes who fought for democracy and justice and honouring their legacy by continuing the fight. It means rejecting the moral bankruptcy of the elite class and demanding accountability from those in power.
The launch of IBB’s memoir is a reminder of how far Nigeria still has to go in its journey towards justice and accountability. It is a call to action for all Nigerians to reject the revisionism of the past and demand a future built on the principles of truth, justice, and democracy. Only then can we begin to heal the wounds of the past and build a nation worthy of the sacrifices made by heroes like MKO Abiola. Until then, Nigeria’s collective amnesia will remain a tragedy, a betrayal of those who gave their lives for a better future.
Cheta Nwanze is founder of SBM Intelligence.
