IBB Reveals Obasanjo’s Initial Reluctance to Succeed Murtala Muhammed.
Former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo initially chose to retire from the Army rather than succeed General Murtala Muhammed after the failed 1976 coup.This revelation is detailed in IBB’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, where he recounts the aftermath of the coup led by Lieutenant-Colonel Bukar Dimka, which resulted in Murtala Muhammed’s assassination.
Obasanjo’s Reluctance and Danjuma’s Endorsement in Chapter 5 of his book, titled The Murtala Muhammed Years, IBB describes how the Supreme Military Council (SMC) convened to decide on a successor. The choice was between the two most senior officers at the time—Lieutenant-Generals Theophilus Danjuma and Olusegun Obasanjo. Initially, the council leaned toward Danjuma, but he declined and instead endorsed Obasanjo.
Obasanjo, however, was reluctant and even offered to retire from the military to allow Danjuma to take over. This led to a brief stalemate, but Danjuma stood firm, insisting that Obasanjo, as Murtala’s deputy, should assume leadership. Eventually, the council agreed, and Obasanjo accepted the position. IBB recalls:”The next day, the SMC met in Lagos to pick a successor to General Muhammed. We knew it would be either General Obasanjo or General Danjuma since, as Lieutenant-Generals, they were the most senior.
Initially, the pendulum swung towards Danjuma, and even Obasanjo thought Danjuma should take over. However, Danjuma insisted that Obasanjo, as Muhammed’s deputy, should be the one to succeed him. Obasanjo refused at first and even offered to retire from the Army. But with Danjuma’s insistence, everyone caved in, and Obasanjo accepted the challenge.”With Obasanjo’s leadership confirmed, the next task was to appoint a deputy. Danjuma, who was the Chief of Army Staff and effectively the second-in-command, seemingly played a role in selecting Lt-Col. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters. Yar’Adua was promptly promoted to Brigadier and later to Major-General, despite his relative junior rank.
IBB also recounts his direct involvement in quelling the coup attempt. He describes how he disarmed Dimka and his group at the Radio House, engaging them in a firefight that resulted in casualties, including Dimka’s aide-de-camp, 2nd Lt Garba.”I returned to General Danjuma to report my encounter with Dimka. Danjuma was furious and ordered me back to the Radio House with clear instructions to flush Dimka out immediately. I returned, now better prepared, and was joined by Mike Otuwa, James Ojokojo, John Shagaya, and Jack Iketubosin. We cordoned off the area and engaged the mutineers in a gun battle.”Though several coup plotters were arrested, including Major Ibrahim Rabo, Dimka himself managed to escape, a fact that remains puzzling to this day.
Following the failed coup, the federal government declared seven days of national mourning for Murtala Muhammed, who was buried in Kano on February 14, 1976. The assassination triggered widespread outrage, with protests from students, labor unions, and civil society organizations. The military also reaffirmed its support for the government, with Major-General Alani Akinrinade and other military leaders publicly condemning the coup.
IBB highlights that despite Murtala’s brief tenure, his leadership had made a lasting impact:”The national outpouring of grief and support was unprecedented. In just six months, Murtala Muhammed had become a folk hero, endearing himself to many Nigerians.”This account offers a deeper insight into the crucial decisions that shaped Nigeria’s military and political landscape following Murtala Muhammed’s assassination.
