Teaching Comparative

Familiar Name In Nigerian Politics

Ibrahim Babangida was a familiar name when I began teaching about Nigeria. He was the head of the ruling military council when I taught my first comparative course. He stayed in power and made news again when he was involved in voiding the election that Abiola apparently won in 1993. His name popped up again when he spent millions of dollars in 1999 to ensure the election of President Obasanjo. Now he wants to be president himself. Here's the latest from the BBC on the politics of IBB's aspirations, two articles from a Babangida supporter, and a news report about political maneuvering.



Nigerians divided by Babangida

"Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the stupendously wealthy former military ruler of Nigeria, is only one of some 20 presidential aspirants in upcoming polls - but none excite half as much emotion as he does.

"His supporters are fanatical with admiration; his opponents dislike him with an equal passion..."

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You can also have students read

• an October 3 Vanguard (Lagos) article, Nigeria: Babangida's Regime - Power Analysis
  
  "Babangida's Regime is what 2007 symbolizes; the problem of power. A confrontation between the forces of power demanding change and the forces of power dedicated to preserve the status quo.
  
  "In trying to understand power in the Nigeria context so many persons have looked at it through the eyes of Machiavelli. But in as much as I respect and share the views of Niccoli Machiavelli in the acquisition of power in his most celebrated book, The Prince, I refuse to be driven to a Machiavellian cynicism with respect to power...
  
  "When General Babangida took over the national house, he saw the need to transform this national wide house into a national brotherhood. He came out with a well designed socio-economic restructuring which was inter-woven with political restructuring. Despite the shortcomings of this regime which have been exaggerated by some persons, his administration meant well for the average Nigerian. So many factors slowed down the realization of his dream.
  
  "He had a dream, a vision and a mission to accomplish unlike his predecessors. At this point the words of Henry Viscadi, comes to mind. 'To hope is not a luxury but a duty. To hope is not to dream but to turn dreams into reality. Blessed are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make it come true...'"
  
  
• and the follow-up October 5 Vanguard (Lagos) article, Nigeria: Babangida's Regime
  
  "HE re-shaped and re-ordered our political landscape from a multi-party system into a two-party system. The parties were the Social Democratic Party and National Republic Convention. For the first time in the history of our politics, no ethnic group, section or region could lay claim to any of the political structures. It is imperative to mention that for the first time also in the history of this country and in Africa, an election was considered by political analysts to be free and fair. For the first time, Nigerians voted conscientiously irrespective of religion, but the election was annulled..."
  
  
• and a September 29 Daily Sun (Lagos) article, Babangida bigger than any party, including PDP
  
  "Former military president, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has been described as an institution bigger than any political party. According to Gen Babangida’s media aide, Prince Kassim Afegbua, the retired general would win election on the platform of any Nigerian political party.

"'Babangida is more popular than any political party. He is an institution. Whichever party he presents himself, Nigerians will vote for him,' the media aide said..."

posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:38 AM