Fact-Check: Did IBB Warn Tinubu of Impending Military Takeover?
Claim: An anchor of a program in a viral video circulating on social media alleges that former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB)has warned of a potential military takeover if President Tinubu is not cautious.
Full Text: The video depicts a female presenter interviewing a man, presumably in a studio setting resembling a radio talk show. The accompanying text asserts that Ibrahim Babangida issued a warning regarding a military intervention if President Tinubu fails to exercise caution.
“If president Tinubu is not careful, there will be a military takeover -Ibrahim Babangida” the caption reads.
For context, Ibrahim Babangida, a former Nigerian military leader, has been an influential figure in Nigerian politics. Therefore, the alleged statement about a possibility of military intervention coming from him means a lot in the political landscape.
Verification: PRNigeria discovers that the video was a recording from a session at a radio station known as “Voice of the people FM 90.3 Lagos” and was widely shared on the Social Media, especially WhatsApp
Additional Findings show that the video was uploaded on YouTube by a channel named “Biafra Extant TV” along with some other channels including TikTok and facebook.
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Meanwhile, the media consultant to Babangida, Deyemi Saka, in a press statement denied any such message originated from the former Nigerian leader.
He described the VOP report as baseless and the result of unfounded speculations by certain individuals with malicious intent.
According to him, should there be such concerns, Babangida would have used proper communication channels to convey his thoughts to President Tinubu rather than resort to social media.
Additionally ,there are older statements from Babangida where he expressed optimism that there won’t be any Military interference in Nigerian politics again.
Speaking on Inside Sources, a Channels Television programme anchored by Laolu Akande, Babangida said military rule runs contrary to the democratic process.
“I think that is (failure to achieve true federalism) one of the effects of the aberration that the military regime, it countered the democratic process,” he said
Conclusion: PRNigeria fact check team there concludes that the warning of military coup attributed to former military president, Gen Babangida is false.
By PRNigeria
