February 21, (THEWILL) – Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), has revealed that he and Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.) were lured into the military by Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.).
Abdulsalami made the revelation on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” and the fundraising event for the IBB Presidential Library Project.
Speaking at the event, Gen. Abubakar recounted his long-standing relationship with Babangida, which he said dates back 80 years in their hometown of Minna, Niger State.
“Let me take us back in time. While we were growing up in the little town of Minna about 80 years ago, as far back as 1952, a soothsayer told us that IBB was going to be the Head of State of this country.
“We never believed him. Then, Captain Yakubu Gowon, a young and smart officer, lured us into joining the military.
“When we joined the army, our biggest aspiration was to reach the rank of Captain and retire. But by God’s grace, we rose through the ranks, became Generals, and eventually Heads of State,” he recalled.
Also speaking at the event, Gen. Gowon (rtd.) praised Babangida’s remarkable rise in the military, from serving as an Aide-de-Camp to eventually becoming Head of State.
He described IBB as a “boss of bosses” and acknowledged his contributions to Nigeria’s history.
Gowon also expressed gratitude to Babangida for restoring his military rank after it was stripped following the 1976 coup.
“Thank you for restoring my rank,” Gowon said, reflecting on how Babangida’s intervention had positively shaped his life after years of political turbulence.
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