General Ibrahim Babangida, former Military President of Nigeria, has clarified that he did not endorse military rule, contrary to claims made in a recent social media post. The post, circulated on X, was shared from a parody account, not his official profile.
In response, Babangida’s media office, through a statement from Mahmud Abdullahi, made it clear that the account sharing the misleading information is not officially connected to him. The statement reassured that Babangida remains a strong advocate for democratic governance.
Babangida’s statement emphasizes his unwavering belief in Nigeria’s democracy, describing it as resilient and firmly established. He has consistently supported democratic processes and believes that the era of military rule in Nigeria is over. The statement also highlighted Babangida’s pride in the Nigerian military’s role in supporting civilian governments since the return to democracy in 1999.
The statement reads, “This dubious account uses our principal’s picture and name, along with the coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to create a misleading impression. It does not represent General Babangida’s views or his official stance.” It further notes Babangida’s belief that democracy, rather than military intervention, is key to overcoming Nigeria’s current challenges.
Babangida’s office reiterated his commitment to protecting and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions, emphasizing his confidence in the country’s democratic future despite ongoing difficulties.