Ibrahim Badadomsi Babangida as Political Elite in Nigeria

This paper is on elite theory of politics, its application and relevance to Nigeria political system. It is specifically aimed at studying Retired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida as political elite in Nigeria, his induction into the political elite class and his strategies of maintaining elitist status and control in Nigeria. This paper argues that Babangida’s involvement in the coup that brought General Muritala into office signaled his emergence into the political elite class of Nigeria. Furthermore, this paper submits that tactical intelligence and deceitfulness were his primary strategy of maintaining his elitist status and control during his prime as the military head of state in Nigeria