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Former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, says the late Head of State, Sani Abacha, was his “best friend” until his death, despite widespread belief that they were enemies.
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Babangida says he and Abacha knew Nigerians considered them rivals but deliberately allowed the perception and rumours to persist.
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He recalls how a mutual friend became afraid to visit him, fearing Abacha would be angry, prompting the late Head of State to question why the man needed his permission.
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Babangida says he and Abacha later agreed not to correct the misunderstanding, choosing to allow the public perception of their relationship to remain unchanged.
August 20, (THEWILL) — Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, has revealed that the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, was his “best friend” until his death, despite the widespread perception that the two military leaders were enemies.
Babangida disclosed in a viral video circulating on social media, where he spoke about his relationship with Abacha and the perception of rivalry that had surrounded the two former military rulers.
According to Babangida, he and Abacha were aware that Nigerians believed they were not on good terms but deliberately allowed the perception to persist.
“We were the best of friends. But a lot of Nigerians thought otherwise. We knew Nigerians thought otherwise. We knew they would think otherwise. And we decided to capitalise on it and allow you to keep on beating in the bush,” Babangida said.
How Rumour Affected Their Mutual Friend
Babangida said the perception of hostility between him and Abacha became so strong that some of their mutual friends became afraid to associate openly with him. He recalled the experience of a mutual friend who wanted to visit him but became apprehensive because he believed Abacha might be angry.
According to Babangida, the man approached Abacha to seek permission before visiting him.
Babangida said Abacha was surprised by the request and reminded the man that Babangida was the person who had introduced him to Abacha in the first place.
He quoted Abacha as telling the man: “I knew you knew me. Babangida introduced you to me. Now you are asking me permission to go and see him. What sort of a human being are you?”
Babangida said Abacha further told the man that when he eventually left office, the same person could become afraid to visit him because of the perception surrounding their relationship.
“The man felt uncomfortable,” Babangida recalled.
Babangida said Abacha later called him and narrated what had happened, expressing disbelief that their mutual friend had sought his permission before visiting him.
“And the following day Abacha called me and told me, ‘Will you imagine so, so and so? This is what he told me.’ I said, ‘No, but are you surprised?’ He said, ‘No,’” Babangida recalled.
He said they subsequently agreed not to correct the man’s perception or discuss the matter with him.
“I said, ‘Okay, let’s leave it to lie down like that. Don’t talk to him about it. I’m not going to talk to him about it,’” he said.
The account provides a rare personal insight into the relationship between two of Nigeria’s most influential military figures, whose careers were closely intertwined but whose relationship was often portrayed as hostile.
Babangida ruled Nigeria as Military President from 1985 until he stepped aside in August 1993. Abacha, who held senior military positions during Babangida’s administration, later became Head of State in November 1993 after the collapse of the Interim National Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan.
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Abacha’s rise to power followed the political crisis triggered by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the eventual collapse of the Interim National Government.
He ruled Nigeria until his sudden death on June 8, 1998. He was succeeded by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, whose administration oversaw a transition that culminated in the return to democratic rule in May 1999.
Abacha’s years in power remain one of the most controversial periods in Nigeria’s political history, with his administration facing intense criticism over its treatment of political opposition and pro-democracy activists.
Babangida’s account, however, presents a different dimension to the relationship between the two men, suggesting that the public perception of hostility did not reflect their private dealings.
According to Babangida, both men were aware of the perception but deliberately chose not to dispel it, allowing the belief that they were enemies to continue even among people within their wider circle.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
