Ibrahim Babangida on Facebook

snapshot of IBB's Facebook page

A few weeks ago, the Nigeria president, Goodluck Jonathan had his Facebook page set up and as of today, there are over 160 thousand Nigerians on his page. From a Facebook’s statistics I read, there are over 5 million Nigerians using Facebook every day. And, if more than 160 thousand Nigerians could join President Goodluck's page in just few weeks, I believe more Nigerians on Facebook would soon join his page. 

Nigeria’s former military leader Ibrahim Babangida is following the footsteps of the president, towards strengthening his 2011 presidential race. I believe most Nigerians on Facebook are within the ages of 15 to 40, and will ‘IBB,’ as he is fondly called, be able to appeal the Nigerian youths in joining his page? I doubt. When ‘IBB’ declared his ambition to become the president of Nigeria if elected, he once said 'Nigerian youths are not capable of running the country.' As of today 18th of August, 2010, even though there are only 267 People that liked IBB on his Facebook page, his page is interactive and informative towards his presidential campaign. His endeavor to reach out to Nigerians on Facebook is laudable, but are Nigerians ready to give the self-proclaimed “Evil Genius” another chance.

Yesterday 18th of August, 2010, IBB wrote on his Facebook page and I quote:

I wish to thank each and every one of you who have sent me warm birthday wishes. I am very appreciative of the growing and continued support. I thank the Almighty Allah (SWT) for another year and the opportunity to express my wish to serve the good people of Nigeria. 

God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Nigerian; President 1985 – 1993.
The first military figure in that role
to adopt the title of President

Like they say, change is constant, so has an 'evil superstar' like ‘IBB’ changed? Getting an answer to such question could take decades because only Ibrahim Babaginda would attest it. And, if really he changed from an 'evil genius' to good genius, he doesn’t have to ascertain it by becoming the president of Nigeria. There are so many other ways to ensure it or show it. He could be a philanthropist and something alike. 

If elected, a generation would have passed since he plunged Nigeria into one of its darkest spells by annulling a 1993 election which was widely regarded as fairer than some of the few before and at least some of those since.

Written by Kennedy Ihewuokwu. 18th August, 2010