As a leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken under my watch.”
Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, on Thursday, expressed regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, acknowledging that the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, MKO Abiola, won the poll.
In the concluding section of the 12th chapter of his autobiography launched Thursday in Abuja, titled, ‘A Journey In Service,’ the former leader described the annulment of the election as an “accident of history.”
His remorse, however, attracted knocks and reactions from various individuals and pro-democracy groups, including the Afenifere, Coalition of Northern Groups, former Ogun State governor, Segun Osoba, Mike Ozhekome (SAN), and other prominent Nigerians.
However, the Abiola family was silent on IBB’s admission. Calls to Abiola’s children, including Hafsat and others, did not elicit any response.
The June 12, 1993, election, won by the businessman and politician, Abiola, was considered Nigeria’s freest and fairest.
However, Babangida annulled the results, citing concerns over national security.
The annulment sparked nationwide protests and political unrest, forcing Babangida to resign and leading to a prolonged struggle for democracy before the return to civilian rule in 1999.
Admitting his error, the ex-military leader said, “Although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all the available facts, particularly the detailed election results…there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 election.
“Upon closer examination of the original collated figures from the 110,000 polling booths nationwide, it was clear that he satisfied the two main constitutional requirements for winning the presidential elections, mainly majority votes and geographical spread, having obtained 8,128,720 votes against Tofa’s 5,848,247 votes and securing the mandatory one-third of the votes cast in 28 states of the federation, including Abuja.”
Nonetheless, Babangida noted that Abiola would have been eliminated all the same had he assumed the Presidency.
“Unfortunately, the forces gathered against him after the June 12 elections were so formidable that I was convinced that if he became President, he would be quickly eliminated by the same very forces who pretended to be his friends,” he added.
Speaking at the official launch of his autobiography and fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library in Abuja, Babangida acknowledged that credible, free and fair elections occurred on June 12, 1993.
He observed, however, that the administration responsible for creating a near-perfect electoral system and overseeing those exemplary elections could not finalise the process.
He described this shortfall as a lamentable “accident of history” while noting that the nation was justifiably owed an expression of his remorse.
“Undoubtedly credible, free and fair elections were held in June, 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.
“That accident of history is most regrettable. The nation is entitled to expect my impression of regret,” said Babangida.
Accepting full responsibility for all decisions made during his leadership of the military government, the former Nigerian leader further noted that the events of June 12 unfolded on his watch, with errors, oversights and misjudgements occurring rapidly.
Nevertheless, he maintained that each action was taken in the overriding interest of Nigeria’s survival.
He also expressed regret that the country’s democratic progress was interrupted, yet emphasised that both Nigeria and its democracy endure.
“As a leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken under my watch. And June 12 happened under my watch; mistakes, oversights and missteps happened in quick succession, but 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 I deeply regret. But Nigeria’s democracy is still alive, a testament to commitment,” he noted.
While reviewing the book, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo revealed that Babangida found the 1993 election arguably the most challenging chapter of his life.
“The June 12 elections were the most challenging of my life. If I have to do it all over again, I’ll do it differently,” Osinbajo said, quoting a section from the book.
The former vice president also quoted Babangida in the book as thanking former President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring MKO Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, the highest rank of the president of the country.
The book, which offers insights into key moments in the country’s history, also addresses other national controversies, including the 1976 coup attempt that led to the assassination of then-Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, and the 1986 letter bomb that killed investigative journalist, Dele Giwa.
While denying any involvement in Dele Giwa’s death, Babangida said he expected the truth to be unravelled one day.
He said, “The Giwa, like all mysterious murders, has remained unsolved after so many years. I keep hoping it will be uncovered in our lifetime or after us. More often than not, mysterious crimes are solved long after their commission.
“When the Obasanjo civilian administration reopened the Giwa case at the Oputa Panel on Human and Civil Rights, I expected that the police and lawyers would come forward with new evidence as to their findings on the Giwa murder over the years. Nothing of such happened.”
The IBB book launch drew an elite gathering of past and present leaders who reflected on his legacy and the state of democracy in West Africa.
Discussions ranged from Babangida’s contributions to Nigeria’s political history to concerns over the resurgence of military coups in the region.
In his keynote address, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo emphasised the importance of multi-party democracy in Africa’s development.
He warned against the growing wave of military takeovers, calling them a setback to democratic progress.
“Multiple parties are good for our continent,” Akufo-Addo said, urging leaders to protect democratic institutions.
President Bola Tinubu praised the former leader for his “unparalleled contributions to national unity and economic growth.”
Tinubu pledged, as President, to continue making decisions—no matter how difficult—in the supreme interest of the nation, following the example set by Babangida.
“I’m glad about the revelation on June 12…I’m not here to read a speech; I’m here to pay homage and say thank you for everything, for who you are, what you are, and what you have contributed to the history of this great country.
“All I can promise as the President is to strive to do the best, put the best forward, and make decisions, no matter how difficult they are, in the interest of the country.
“You have done so, and you have laid the example. Thank you very much,” he stated.
Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd.), lauded Babangida’s rise from aide-de-camp to head of state, describing him as a “boss of bosses.”
Gowon also expressed gratitude for Babangida’s decision to restore his rank of General after it was stripped following the 1976 coup.
The former head of state said, “Thank you for restoring my rank,” reflecting on how Babangida’s leadership impacted his life.
Another former military head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, shared personal anecdotes about his long-standing relationship with Babangida which, he said, spans over 80 years.
Abubakar recalled a childhood prophecy foretold Babangida’s rise to power and commended him for documenting his life’s journey.
“Your memoir will enrich the country,” he stated.
For his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan described Babangida as one of Nigeria’s most charismatic leaders and called for the creation of presidential libraries to preserve the country’s political history.
“IBB brought us here today to celebrate his book and library. His home has become somewhat of a pilgrimage site,” Jonathan noted.
Representing immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Minister of Transportation, Jaji Sambo, delivered a congratulatory message, expressing hope that Babangida would continue offering valuable counsel to Nigeria’s leadership.
Reacting to IBB’s admission on the June 12, 1993 election, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, described it as belated and insufficient to address its far-reaching consequences.
In a statement by its Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, the group asserted that Babangida’s acknowledgement of the election’s credibility did not absolve him or his associates of the monumental and irreversible damage caused by the annulment.
– PUNCH