The Minna, Niger State, home of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has always had a near-mythical impression on the minds of many Nigerians. So much so that several tales, going from the incredulous to the ridiculous, have been spun around it.
Apart from the image of exaggerated splendour and lavish ornamentation which has become engrained in the mind of the public, there is also the speculation over the number of rooms therein.Similarly, photos of all manner of palatial mansions from strange parts of the world have been passed to the public as IBB’s Hilltop mansion – a home which has also served as office for the General since he stepped aside as president in August 1993.
Having visited that residence on no fewer than four occasions, The Nigerian Xpress eventually popped the question to the retired General: How many rooms do you have in this place, apart from the offices we’ve been to. Although his aides insisted the question was rather personal, the ever-smiling IBB overruled them.
His answer is contained in this concluding part of the exclusive interview Gen. Babangida granted The Nigerian Xpress duo of Steve Nwosu and Abdulfatah Oladeinde.
We are here inside the hilltop mansion. To the people out there, this is one monstrous edifice… With 50 bedrooms?
You’re talking 50. I’ve heard 120. Jesus Christ (General laughter)
So, how many rooms do we have here? Are there 50 or 120?
No, there are six rooms in this edifice. I have one room, my wife had one. All my children, four of them. Everyone has his or her own.
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And that’s all?
Yeah. Because if I had tried to put more rooms my wife would have suspected, maybe I wanted to marry another wife. (Laughter)
Now that you have mentioned another wife issue, you never contemplated re-marrying?
Not yet. At 77, not yet? (Laughter)
The impression out there is that IBB institutionalised corruption. You have been living as a pensioner for 25 years. How else do you survive besides your pension?
That is a fairly good question. Before I became president, believe it or not, we were selling bread.
My wife was selling bread, and the factory is still functioning. I didn’t have the problem of getting extra money.
Secondly, I own properties only in Minna, Kaduna, Abuja and Kano. I said these are the only places I would own property and no other place in Nigeria.
And then I have very good and loyal friends who are very supportive all the time. They come and ask about my wellbeing and make contributions towards my pension.
Sir, who is your hero?
Political or military?
Both?
I once answered by saying in Africa it is Shaka (de Zulu). And people thought I was crazy for making the choice.
The only thing he did. Here was a man who led people into war with very crude weaponry and just brute strength.
He fought against superior armament and so on. So, that is a local hero. In modern history we have from Second World War, people like Howard, Winston Churchill. I read about them all and was quite impressed by what they achieved.
What is your idea of leadership?
First, somebody who takes responsibility, right or wrong. When you have a problem in the society, somebody who stands up to say, follow me. I will find a solution to this problem. This is my basic interpretation of leadership.
What is your most memorable experience in the military?
Going to war. It was tough, because you are not sure of whether you are going to survive. Going to war is one experience I will never forget.
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You move with friends. One minute, a friend is shot dead or your boy is shot dead. You see him, but you have to move on.
Or somebody, you are just talking to him one minute, the next minute, he is dead. It was very traumatic.
Sir, how do you want to be remembered?
As a man who served this country to the best of his ability. A man who tried to communicate ideas with the people, even though people don’t understand him.
But then he made his contributions to the development of the country.
Thank you, sir.