Former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly called IBB, raked in billions of naira at the launch of his autobiography ‘A Journey in Service,’ in Abuja where he chose the event to admit that late Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The confession came 32 years after Babangida annulled what has since been described as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria since independence in 1960.
Babangida stated that the annulment of the election was orchestrated by powerful forces within his administration, led by late head of state, General Sani Abacha, who was then the chief of army staff and later minister of defence.
The military president said he accepted full responsibility for the annulment as head of state and commander-in-chief, adding that Abiola met all the constitutional requirements to be declared president.
“Although I am on record to have stated after the elections that Abiola may not have won the elections, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all the available facts, particularly the detailed election results, which are published as an appendix to this volume, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections.
“Undoubtedly credible, free and fair elections were held on June 12, 1993. However, the tragic irony of history remains that the administration that devised a near perfect electoral system and conducted those near perfect elections could not complete the process.
“Upon closer examination of the original collated figures from the 110,000 polling booths nationwide, it was clear that Abiola satisfied the constitutional requirements, having obtained 8,128,720 votes against Tofa’s 5,848,247 votes and securing the mandatory one-third of votes cast in 28 states, including Abuja,” he said.
“That accident of history is most regrettable; the nation is entitled to expect my impression of regret.
“As the leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken under my watch. And June 12 happened under my watch.
“Mistakes and oversights happened in quick succession. And I say in my book, in all matters, we acted in the supreme national interest so that Nigeria could survive.
“Our nation’s march to democracy was interrupted, a fact that I deeply regret, but Nigeria survived and democracy is still alive, a testament to resilience and commitment to progress.
“This book is part of my personal story of what was national history. I did not travel alone. I undertake the challenging walk of leadership in the company of many patriots.”
Babangida said his eight-year administration confronted monumental challenges, and admitted that the reforms introduced by his administration also caused discomfort to Nigerians.
“I have had to contend with these questions all the time. When will you tell your side of the story? Understandably, our period of service is somehow evoked and rightly so, many questions and stories among our public.
“This book, which chronicles my experiences, decisions and challenges during our national service, tries to answer some of these questions from my modest perspective.
“My colleagues in arms and I presided over significant change and turbulent reforms. We confronted monumental challenges in the economy, the polity, foreign affairs and defence and security of our national life.
“We surmounted obstacles so as to change from the old ways. We encountered unusual obstacles and devised innovative solutions.
“We all thought to leave Nigeria a better place, and we found it after a great personal sacrifice, and in the face of significant challenges.
“I’m deeply aware of the inconveniences and sacrifices the public endure during this period. And I acknowledge and appreciate their resilience and commitment to progress.
“Although the reforms caused inconveniences to our people, we built lasting national institutions, some of which are still in place today,” he added.
Babangida also said he was convinced that if he Abiola became president, he would be quickly eliminated by the same forces who pretended to be his friends.
“Having experienced a civil war, I was not prepared to see another,” he added.
The ex-military president further said the June 23, 1993 annulment announcement was made without his authorisation while he was in Katsina, condoling with the Yar’Adua family.
“I was alarmed and horrified when I learned that Admiral Aikhomu’s press secretary, Nduka Irabor, had read a poorly worded statement annulling the election—without the presidential seal or official government letterhead.”
According to him, he was outflanked by Abacha and other powerful figures in his administration who were determined to prevent Abiola from assuming office.
“It was painful to later discover that, apart from Abacha, some of my closest colleagues, including a Lieutenant General, were deeply involved in the plot to eliminate me,” he said.
He said Abacha’s ambitions and internal divisions within the military eventually led to his forced resignation and Abacha’s eventual coup later in 1993.
Besides, he said he reached out to Abiola through traditional leaders to find a solution, even offering him an interim position, but Abiola rejected the offer.
“Understandably, Abiola refused. He believed he had legitimately won and saw no reason to accept an interim arrangement,” Babangida added.
Babangida acknowledged that the annulment of the June 12 election caused national turmoil, triggering protests, international condemnation, and years of political instability.
The book launch yielded billions of naira in donations from prominent Nigerians.
Messrs Aliko Dangote made a donation of ₦8 billion; Abdulsamad Rabiu (BUA Group), ₦5 billion; Theophilus Danjuma, ₦3 billion; Arthur Eze, ₦500 million; Sani Musa, ₦250 million; Godswill Akpabio, ₦50 million; and Tajudeen Abbas, ₦25 million.
The autobiography launch also marked the unveiling of Babangida’s presidential library.
The event was attended by President Bola Tinubu and other personalities including former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Nigerian vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and Yemi Osinbajo (who served as the book reviewer), former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Other notable figures included Messrs AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq governor of Kwara State, Victor Attah (former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Donald Duke (former governor, Cross River State, Rotimi Amaechi (former governor, Rivers State), Gbenga Daniel (former governor, Ogun State), Nasir el-Rufai (former governor, Kaduna State), Babangida Aliyu (former governor, Niger State), James Ibori (former governor, Delta State), Segun Osoba (former governor, Ogun State), and Mohammed Marwa (former military administrator, Lagos State).
The others were the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi and his New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) counterpart and former governor of Kano State, Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, Messrs Arthur Eze, Andy Uba, Aliko Dangote, among others.
With ThisDay and Vanguard reports
