By Suleiman Ibrahim
Former military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar has shared an intriguing revelation regarding a soothsayer’s prediction about Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) becoming Nigeria’s leader. This prophecy, made in 1952—33 years before IBB assumed power—was recounted during the launch of IBB’s memoir, titled A Journey In Service, in Abuja on Thursday.
The event also served as a fundraising initiative for the IBB presidential library and was attended by notable dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and former Vice-Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo.
Reflecting on the prophecy, Abdulsalami, a longtime neighbor of IBB in Minna, recounted, “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.”
He went on to describe how Captain Gowon, then a young and promising officer, inspired him and others to join the military, where they initially aspired to rise to the rank of captain and retire. “God in His mercy propelled us to become generals, and by the grace of God, both of us later became heads of state. No moment goes by when we remember our escapades that it doesn’t bring smiles to our faces.”
Ultimately, both leaders would indeed go on to lead Nigeria at different times as generals, with IBB serving as the military ruler from 1985 to 1993, and Abubakar overseeing the country from 1998 to 1999, facilitating the transition to civilian rule.
