Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), made a rare return to Abuja on Wednesday ahead of the highly anticipated ongoing launch of his autobiography today at the Transcorp Hilton.
All the living former presidents and heads of State are in attendance, except former President Muhammadu Buhari whose reign as military head of state was terminated in 1985 by IBB. But Buhari sent a former minister to attend on his behalf.
Also Empowered Newswire learnt that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who had detailed his Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him earlier at the event, changed his mind and made his way back from France to attend the book launch today in Abuja. He has been away for about two week already.
The event, which has drawn notable political figures from within and outside Nigeria, is expected to provide insight into key moments of the Babangida military presidency, particularly the controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
According to a tweet earlier this morning before the event got underway by veteran journalist and host of Inside Sources, Laolu Akande on Thursday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be in attendance, alongside several former presidents and vice presidents. However, former President Muhammadu Buhari will not be present at the event.
Akande tweeted “Former Military President Babangida made a rare return to Abuja yesterday ahead of the public launch of his much awaited autobiography today at Transcorp. The book, expectedly, will put to rest the issue of the infamous annulment of the June 12 Presidential Poll won by late Chief MKO Abiola. President Tinubu is expected to attend, alongside a number of former presidents & VPs. Former President Buhari, however, would be represented …. Immediate Past VP Osinbajo will review the book, while former President of Ghana would keynote the event where the IBB Presidential Library would also be launched. Abuja has been agog in the last 24 hours with the arrival of several eminent Nigerians who would be attending the event.”
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been designated to review the book, while former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama will deliver the keynote address. A significant highlight of the event will also be the official launch of the IBB Presidential Library, a project dedicated to preserving the legacy of the former military ruler.
The Nigerian capital has been abuzz with the arrival of eminent personalities set to attend the ceremony, making the last 24 hours in Abuja particularly eventful. The book launch promises to be a landmark occasion, providing historical perspectives on one of Nigeria’s most debated political decisions.
