Dele Farotimi Blasts Akinwumi Adesina for Calling Babangida a Statesman

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has criticised the former president of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, over his description of former military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), as a “statesman.”

Taking to his X account on Tuesday, Farotimi argued that such accolades only serve to whitewash the darker aspects of Babangida’s controversial leadership and help to normalise what he called the “evils” of Nigeria’s past military regimes.

“Not telling these ruinous cretins exactly what they are, contributes towards the normalization of the evils that they have visited on the people, and this mutual affirmation strategy is what has helped to sustain the evil. IBB is no statesman, and you can stop lying to yourself,” Farotimi wrote.

His remarks came in response to a birthday tribute posted by Dr. Adesina, who hailed Babangida as one of Nigeria’s “foremost elder-statesmen.” In his message, Adesina praised the retired general for what he described as his “patriotic fervour, devotion and commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress,” while wishing him good health on the occasion of his 84th birthday.

Babangida, popularly known as IBB, ruled Nigeria from 1985 until 1993. His regime remains one of the most debated in Nigeria’s history, marked by structural adjustment policies, political manoeuvres, and, most controversially, the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election—widely believed to be Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.

Farotimi, known for his outspoken criticism of Nigeria’s ruling class, insisted that attempts to reframe Babangida’s legacy as statesmanship ignore the pain and instability associated with his time in power. His comments have reignited conversations online about Nigeria’s culture of celebrating past leaders despite unresolved historical grievances.

The exchange highlights a recurring debate within Nigerian society: whether to view past military leaders through the lens of their contributions to national unity, or to focus on the abuses, corruption, and democratic setbacks that characterised their regimes.

As Babangida marked his 84th birthday, the contrasting tributes reflect the sharp divide in public perception—between those who continue to see him as a political elder and those, like Farotimi, who believe his legacy should be remembered as a cautionary tale rather than celebrated.

Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org