The world is still reacting to the shock death of the Argentina legend who wowed football fans with his skills and passion for the game during his playing days.

From how he changed the way we view football to how he helped negotiate for better players welfare, tribute are pouring in for Diego Maradona from every part of the world.



While the footballing world is mourning and celebrating Diego Maradona, it is worth noting that a high ranking Nigerian was once compared to the Argentina genius.

Who is he? And why was he nicknamed after the now late football legend?


The year was 1985 and Nigerian was still moving from one military head of state to another.

A certain 44 years old Nigerian has just overthrown the military administration head by General Muhammadu Buhari, justifying the coup by describing the Buhari administration as too rigid.


That young man was General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB.

Records shows IBB was born on August 17, 1941 in Minna - Niger state Nigeria.

After assuming power on 27 August 1985, Babangida spent the next 8 years as Nigerian number 1 citizen until his resignation on 26 August 1993.


It was during his presidency that IBB was nicknamed the Maradona of Nigerian politics, with his peers comparing him to the Argentina legend.

Diego Maradona was a footballer while General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida was a politician, so what led to the unusual comparison?


It all have to do with former head of state intelligence and survival skills during his political career. Just like the Argentina legend, IBB was considered above his peers when it comes to manoeuvering himself out of a difficulty situation.


He was considered the Evil genius due to how he was able to seize and consolidate power, going to the extent of executing his childhood friend, Mamman Jiya Vatsa.


Executing his childhood friend prove IBB will go to any length to defend his presidency just like Maradona did by knocking the ball into the back of the net with his hand, tainting his reputation just to see his beloved Argentina eliminate England in the quarter final stage of the 1986 world cup.


In a 2015 interview, Chief Olu Falea who was Secretary to the Federal Government under IBB administration described what it means to work under the former military president and why he was called Maradona.

"I enjoyed working with him. He is perhaps one of the best listeners I have ever worked with. You could speak with him for 2 hours, and he would not interrupt.

He understands issues very quickly; he would remember your wife and children’s birthday." - Chief Olu Falea.


Diego Maradona has ended his time on Earth but our own Nigerian Evil genius, who was nicknamed after the football legend is going strong at 79.

He is nowhere close to maradona!

theFilmtricsay

IBB is a mere thief.
He stole twelve billion dollars.
Abacha accused him of that.

Na Ogun go kill made in naija Maradona for me

juman:
IBB is a mere thief.
He stole twelve billion dollars.
Abacha accused him of that.

Thats change to what these guys are gathering these days

Ok

ia he dt good n we never heard of him?