While surfing the Internet I came across this speech by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida after he overthrew the government of Gen Muhammadu Buhari. I was astonished about the points IBB highlighted as the major reason for carrying out the coup. I won't say much but just go through the speech and lets us reflect on that.

TEXT OF GENERAL IBRAHIM BABANGIDA'S COUP SPEECH August 27 , 1985

Fellow Nigerians,
When in December 1983, the former military
leadership, headed by Major-General Muhammadu
Buhari, assumed the reins of government, its
accession was heralded in the history of this
country. With the nation at the mercy of political
misdirection and on the brink of economic collapse,
a new sense of hope was created in the minds of
every Nigerian.

Since January 1984, however, we have witnessed a
systematic denigration of that hope. It was stated
then that mismanagement of political leadership
and a general deterioration in the standard of living,
which had subjected the common man to
intolerable suffering, were the reasons for the
intervention.

Nigerians have since then been under a regime that
continued with those trends. Events today indicate
that most of the reasons which justified the military
takeover of government from the civilians still
persist.

The initial objectives were betrayed and fundamental
changes do not appear on the horizon. Because the
present state of uncertainty, suppression and
stagnation resulted from the perpetration of a small
group, the Nigerian Armed Forces could not as a
part of that government be unfairly committed to
take responsibility for failure. Our dedication to the
cause of ensuring that our nation remains a united
entity worthy of respect and capable of functioning
as a viable and credible part of the international
community dictated the need to arrest the situation.
Let me at this point attempt to make you
understand the premise upon which it became
necessary to change the leadership. The principles
of discussions, consultation and co-operation which
should have guided decision-making process of the
Supreme Military Council and the Federal Executive
Council were disregarded soon after the government
settled down in 1984. Where some of us thought it
appropriate to give a little more time, anticipating a
conducive atmosphere that would develop, in which
affairs of state could be attended to with greater
sense of responsibility, it became increasingly clear
that such expectations could not be fulfilled.
Regrettably, it turned out that Major-General
Muhammadu Buhari was too rigid and uncompromising in his attitudes to issues of
national significance. Efforts to make him
understand that a diverse polity like Nigeria required
recognition and appreciation of differences in both
cultural and individual perceptions, only served to
aggravate these attitudes.

Major-General Tunde Idiagbon was similarly inclined
in that respect. As Chief of Staff, Supreme
Headquarters, he failed to exhibit the appropriate
disposition demanded by his position. He arrogated
to himself absolute knowledge of problems and
solutions, and acted in accordance with what was
convenient to him, using the machinery of
government as his tool.

A combination of these characteristics in the two
most important persons holding the nation's vital
offices became impossible to content with. The
situation was made worse by a number of other
government functionaries and organisations, chief
among which is the Nigerian Security Organisation
(NSO). In fact, this body will be overhauled and re-
organized.

And so it came to be that the same government
which received the tumultuous welcome now
became alienated from the people. To prevent a
complete erosion of our given mandate therefore,
we had to act so that hope may be rebuilt.

Let me now address your attention to the major
issues that confront us, so that we may, as one
people, chart a future direction for our dear country.
We do not pretend to have all the answers to the
questions which our present problems have put
before our nation. We have come with the strongest
determination to create an atmosphere in which
positive efforts shall be given the necessary support
for lasting solutions.

For matters of the moment which require immediate
resolutions, we intend to pursue a determined
programme of action. Major issues falling into this
category have been identified and decisions taken
on what should be done.

Firstly, the issue of political detainees or convicts
of special military tribunals. The history of our
nation had never recorded the degree of indiscipline
and corruption as in the period between October
1979 and December 1983.

While this government recognises the bitterness
created by the irresponsible excesses of the
politicians, we consider it unfortunate that methods
of such nature as to cause more bitterness were
applied to deal with past misdeeds. We must never
allow ourselves to lose our sense of natural justice.
The innocent cannot suffer the crimes of the guilty.
The guilty should be punished only as a lesson for
the future. In line with this government's intention to
uphold fundamental human rights, the issue of
detainees will be looked into with despatch.
As we do not intend to lead a country where
individuals are under the fear of expressing
themselves, the Public Officers Protection Against
False Accusation Decree 4 of 1984 is hereby
repealed. And finally, those who have been in
detention under this decree are hereby unconditionally released. The responsibility of the
media to disseminate information shall be exercised
without undue hindrance. In that process, those
responsible are expected to be forthright and to
have the nation's interest as their primary
consideration.

The issue of decrees has generated a lot of
controversies. It is the intention of this government
to review all other decrees.

The last twenty months have not witnessed any
significant changes in the national economy.
Contrary to expectations, we have so far been
subjected to a steady deterioration in the general
standard of living; and intolerable suffering by the
ordinary Nigerians have risen higher, scarcity of
commodities has increased, hospitals still remain
mere consulting clinics, while educational
institutions are on the brink of decay.

Unemployment has stretched to critical dimensions.
Due to the stalemate, which arose in negotiation
with the International Monetary Fund, the former
government embarked on a series of counter-trade
agreements. Under the counter-trade agreements,
Nigerians were forced to buy goods and
commodities at higher prices than obtained in the
international market. The government intends to
review the whole issue of counter-trade.

A lot has been said and heard about our position
with the International Monetary Fund. Although we
formally applied to the fund in April 1983, no
progress has as yet been made in the negotiation
and a stalemate has existed for the last two years.
We shall break the deadlock that frustrated the
negotiations with a view to evaluating more
objectively both the negative and positive
implications of reaching a mutual agreement with
the Fund. At all times in the course of discussions,
our representatives will be guided by the feelings
and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
It is the view of this government that austerity
without structural adjustment is not the solution to
our economic predicament. The present situation
whereby 44 per cent of our revenue earning is
utilised to service debts is not realistic. To protect
the danger this poses to the poor and the needy in
our society, steps will be taken to ensure
comprehensive strategy of economic reforms.
The crux of our economic problems has been
identified to centre around four fundamental issues:
1. A decrease of our domestic production, while our
population continues to increase.
2. Dependence on import for both consumer goods
and raw materials for our industries.
3. A grossly unequal gap between the rich and the
poor.
4. The large role played by the public sector in
economic activity with hardly any concrete results to
justify such a role.
These are the problems we must confront.

ON FOREIGN POLICY:
Nigeria's foreign policy in the last 20 months has
been characterised by inconsistency and
incoherence. It has lacked the clarity to make us
know where we stood on matters of international
concern to enable other countries relate to us with
seriousness. Our role as Africa's spokesman has
diminished because we have been unable to
maintain the respect of African countries.
The ousted military government conducted our
external relations by a policy of retaliatory reactions.
Nigeria became a country that has reacted to given
situations, rather than taking the initiative as it
should and always been done. More so, vengeful
considerations must not be the basis of our
diplomacy. African problems and their solutions
should constitute the premise of our foreign policy.
The realisation of the Organisation of African Unity
of the Lagos Plan of Action for self-sufficiency and
constructive co-operation in Africa shall be our
primary pursuit.

The Economic Community of West African States
must be reborn with the view to achieving the
objective of regional integration. The problems of
drought-stricken areas of Africa will be given more
attention and sympathy, and our best efforts will be
made to assist in their rehabilitation within the
limits of our resources. Our membership of the
United Nations Organisation will be made more
practical and meaningful. The call for a new
International Economic Order which lost its momentum in the face of the debt crisis will be
made once again.

Nigeria hereby makes a renewed request to the
Non-Aligned Movement to regroup and reinvigorate
its determination to restructure the global economic
system, while we appeal to the industrialized
nations to positively consider the debt plight of the
developing countries and assist in dealing with the
dangers that face us. We shall remain members of
the various multilateral institutions and inter-
governmental organisations which we belong to and
do what must be done to enhance the membership
and participation within them.

Fellow Nigerians, this country has had since
independence a history mixed with turbulence and
fortune. We have witnessed our rise to greatness,
followed with a decline to the state of a bewildered
nation. Our human potentials have been neglected,
our natural resources put to waste. A phenomenon
of constant insecurity and overbearing uncertainty
has become characteristic of our national existence.
My colleagues and I are determined to change the
course of history. This government is determined to
unite this country. We shall not allow anything to
obstruct us. We recognise that a government, be it
civilian or military, needs the consent of the people
to govern if it is to reach its objective. We do not
intend to rule by force. At the same time, we should
not be expected to submit to unreasonable
demands. Fundamental rights and civil liberties will
be respected, but their exercise must not
degenerate into irrational expression nor border on
subversion.

The War Against Indiscipline will continue, but this
time, in the minds and conduct of Nigerians, and
not by way of symbolism or money-spending
campaigns.

This government, on its part, will ensure that the
leadership exhibits proper example. Criticisms of
actions and decisions taken by us will be given
necessary attention and where necessary changes
made in accordance with what is expected of us.
Let me reiterate what we said in 1984: This
generation of Nigerians and indeed future
generations have no other country but Nigeria. We
must all stay and salvage it together. This time it
shall be pursued with deeper commitment and
genuine sincerity.

There is a lot of work to be done by every single Nigerian. Let us all dedicate ourselves to the cause
of building a strong, united and viable nation for
the sake of our own lives and the benefits of
posterity.
Finally, I wish to commend the members of the
Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police for their
mature conduct during the change.
I thank you all for your co-operation and
understanding.
God bless Nigeria.

So Babangida is another hero of urs

While we reflect on the speech, let us also remember the legacy the subsequent military govts bestowed on the nation.

IBB contributed up to75% to the suffering of this country

Until many more Nigerians know what leadership entails most people will cotinue to expect the impossible from our leaders. Babangida is a rare leader, take it or leave it. What are the problems he created, how did you arrive at the ratio of his liability? what are the indices used in reaching the conclusions. Nigerians seem to me as the Israelites of yore. Used to rejecting Kings but succeeded by worse Kings the people welcome only to reject. We need mental and intellectual alertness. Let each critic go and start at councillorship level, deliver the goodies, move to council level and up to the states, then national.

Nigeria oh Nigeria.

[Firstly, the issue of political detainees or convicts
of special military tribunals. The history of our
nation had never recorded the degree of indiscipline
and corruption as in the period between October
1999 and December2016.

Release them and try them according to the Nigerian constitution.

The last twenty months have not witnessed any
significant changes in the national economy.
Contrary to expectations, we have so far been
subjected to a steady deterioration in the general
standard of living; and intolerable suffering by the
ordinary Nigerians have risen higher, scarcity of
commodities has increased, hospitals still remain
mere consulting clinics, while educational
institutions are on the brink of decay.

Unemployment has stretched to critical dimensions.

Where are these dung filled brain zombies of the Sai Baba republic?

pacino26:
Nigeria oh Nigeria.

[Firstly, the issue of political detainees or convicts
of special military tribunals. The history of our
nation had never recorded the degree of indiscipline
and corruption as in the period between October
1999 and December2016.

Release them and try them according to the Nigerian constitution.

The last twenty months have not witnessed any
significant changes in the national economy.
Contrary to expectations, we have so far been
subjected to a steady deterioration in the general
standard of living; and intolerable suffering by the
ordinary Nigerians have risen higher, scarcity of
commodities has increased, hospitals still remain
mere consulting clinics, while educational
institutions are on the brink of decay.

Unemployment has stretched to critical dimensions.

Where are these dung filled brain zombies of the Sai Baba republic?

When I read these I almost mistook now to 1984 era. BUHARI IS A DISASTER. We were warned before the election but many people played deaf ears due to regional and political sentiment.