Nigeria’s political space has once again been thrown into a heated debate, this time over the legacy of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).

On Tuesday, human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, strongly rejected the description of Babangida as a “statesman.” His reaction followed a birthday tribute from the former President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who had praised IBB as one of Nigeria’s “foremost elder-statesmen.”

In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), Farotimi accused Nigerians of helping to “normalize evil” by showering flattering titles on leaders who, in his view, caused lasting damage to the country.

“Not telling these ruinous cretins exactly what they are contributes towards the normalization of the evils that they have visited on the people… IBB is no statesman, and you can stop lying to yourself,” he wrote.

For Farotimi, calling Babangida a statesman is not just inaccurate but dangerous, as it erases the darker parts of Nigeria’s past and sustains what he described as a cycle of political impunity.

Earlier, Dr. Adesina had celebrated the former Head of State as a patriot dedicated to Nigeria’s peace, unity, and progress. In his message, he commended IBB’s “patriotic fervor, devotion and commitment,” while wishing him good health on his 84th birthday.

IBB, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, remains one of the country’s most controversial leaders. While some Nigerians credit him for economic reforms and infrastructural projects, others remember him for corruption scandals, political manipulation, and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election — widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.

Farotimi’s remarks highlight the enduring divide: should Nigeria remember Babangida as a nation-builder, or as a leader whose actions set the country back?