IBB's Autobiography: A Reflection On The Deep Seated Hate And Continued Marginalization Of Ndị Igbo In Nigeria

IBB's Autobiography: A Reflection On The Deep Seated Hate And Continued Marginalization Of Ndị Igbo In Nigeria On 20th February, 2025, N...

IBB's Autobiography: A Reflection On The Deep Seated Hate And Continued Marginalization Of Ndị Igbo In Nigeria

On 20th February, 2025, Nigeria's ex military general, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) launched his book, titled, "A Journey In Service" An Autobiography. An event that brought together many of his political associates, friends, proteges, including past and present Nigerian politicians, business moguls and expatriates. In plain terms, the book launch event became a historic gathering of big actors and shot callers in the Nigerian political landscape, from ex military officers of the then military regimes to past and present civilian leaders and stakeholders of Nigeria. 

The book launch event offered many a lecture time to reflect on those past and present bruises, wounds and uncomfortable histories. Touching various regional grievances and unfolding many hidden truths masked in sheer misinformation and propaganda within Nigeria's political history. Undeniably, IBB's book has generated significant traction from various quarters across the country which particularly was fueled following the suspense surrounding the objectivity in its content. Especially against the odds that such book is coming from a Northern ex military dictator and coup plotter.

On that note, a painstaking perusal of the Autobiography book by Family Writers Press International, revealed many pieces of untold truths, as well as, in hindsight, why the deliberate and continuous anti-Igbo rhetorics and socio-political marginalization of Ndi Igbo has persisted in Nigeria till date.

1. IBB's 1966 Coup Belated Confession: 

The 1966 coup remains an indelible part of Nigeria's history with its attendant consequences which led to Nigeria's political turmoil; the Biafra-Nigeria war. IBB in his book, summarily confessed that; the 1966 coup was never an Igbo coup as against the perverse propaganda widely held by many Nigerians that it was an Igbo coup to dominate Nigeria, jointly spread by the British and Yoruba controlled Media. He substantiated his assertion with the names of top military officers from across the then three regions in Nigeria who were among the coup plotters and the reason behind the coup, thereby disproving the lies and blackmail that it was an Igbo coup. After over 59 years, the never healed wounds and scars inflicted on Ndị Igbo fueled by this very false information and blackmail by Nigeria was retouched by IBB's vindictive Autobiography.

2. Account of How An Igbo Officer, Major John Obienu, Crushed The Coup:

The book narrated that in his attempts to quash the coup and prevent bloodshed, John Obienu resisted cooperating with the coup plotters while killing and arresting many of them. However,months later, Obienu was brutally killed by overzealous uncommissioned northern officers.

3. The book also noted that the fall out in relationship between Ojukwu and Gowon in 1966 was as a result of Ojukwu's insistence that military hierarchy and ethics must be maintained in appointing the next commander-in-chief to replace late General Aguiyi-Ironsi. According to IBB, Ojukwu's stance was to favour Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, a Yoruba officer, who was next in rank to Aguiyi-Ironsi. However, Ojukwu's position to uphold established military ethics and subsequent refusal to recognize Gowon, a junior officer, as Head Of State and Commander-in-chief by extension, led to a widespread narrative that resulted in threats to lives, properties and existence of Ndi Igbo at various parts of Nigeria. Thus, the genesis of Gowon's and by extension, Nigerians deep seated hate and anti-East /Ojukwu/Igbo policies.

The June 12 Election Annulment Confession

Babangida disclosed as well as confessed that; Late MKO Abiola, massively won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He also recounted that the annulment of the result was outrightly conducted by him and his cabinet members following the tensions in the country.

However, it is significant to note that these shreds of past history contained in IBB's book, has not only uncovered the buried lies and longstanding blackmails against Ndị Igbo, but also awoken the memories of those agelong prejudices, contempts and injustices meted on the Igbo nation in Nigeria that has continued to fuel the political marginalization, subjugation and economic disenfranchisement of Ndi Igbo in Nigeria since 1970 to date. 

Therefore, it suffices to reiterate that these recounted stories underscore the moral justification and validity surrounding the Igbo agitation for an independent Nation out of Nigeria. Ndị Igbo were killed in their thousands in the North, massacred in millions in the East during the genocidal war, economically strangulated after the war and continue to live in complete exclusion from most Nigeria's national projects. These events further justify and strengthen the Igbo agitation for an independent state of Biafra out of Nigeria, as championed by the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention for four years for demanding his rights to self determination.

Nigeria, on a daily basis continues to show the world that it has an Igbo problem. It is said that even in the gathering of darkness, there's always a chance for light to exist and outshine darkness. Truth hidden, blackmailed and used against the innocent Igbo race, will surely be uncovered by the test of time. Igbo Nation will prevail and Biafra, the child of necessity, safety and circumstance will be restored.

Family Writers Press International