Former Nigerian military president, Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, a decision that has haunted the country for over three decades.
In his newly released autobiography “A Journey in Service,” Babangida admitted that the election, widely regarded as free and fair, was won by businessman and politician Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
The event, held in Abuja on Thursday, marked the unveiling of IBB’s autobiography, A Journey in Service.
Babangida, who annulled the election during his tenure, took full responsibility for the controversial decision, marking a moment of reflection and reconciliation 32 years after the historic event.
Babangida claimed the decision to cancel the election widely believed to have been won by MKO Abiola was made without his authorisation by top military officials, led by Sani Abacha.
Babangida recounted that he was in Katsina when the announcement was made by the press secretary of his deputy.
He said he was stunned to learn that the election had been annulled, as he had not given any directive for such an action.
He later discovered that Abacha, his chief of defense staff, had taken matters into his own hands, leveraging internal divisions within the military to push through the annulment.
He describes how, days before the election, a legal challenge emerged when the Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN) secured an injunction to halt the process.
Despite conflicting opinions among his advisers, Babangida ultimately decided to allow the election to proceed.
However, on June 16, the chairman of the electoral commission was abruptly ordered to stop announcing the results. Babangida now suggests that this move was orchestrated by powerful figures within his government who were determined to undermine the democratic transition.
By June 23, while attending a funeral in Katsina, he says he learned that the election had been formally annulled through an impromptu statement that lacked official documentation, recalling feeling trapped, and recognising that forces beyond his control had taken over.
With the military deeply divided and Abacha growing more powerful, Babangida resigned in August 1993, handing power to an interim government, which Abacha later removed.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, was absent from the book launch of Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), despite the attendance of several high-profile figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former president Goodluck Jonathan, former military leaders Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, and other prominent political figures.
While the gathering featured a wide array of political dignitaries and military veterans, Buhari’s absence stood out, especially given the longstanding political tension between him and IBB over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election.
Sources close to the former president suggested that the decision not to attend was a deliberate move, reflecting the strained relationship between the two. Buhari has consistently criticised IBB’s role in the annulment of the election, a move that has been a source of controversy and political discord in Nigeria’s history.
In the same vein, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has credited former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), for his entry into politics, stating that without Babangida’s influence, he would not have pursued a career in public service.
Tinubu praised Babangida for fostering the rise of young political leaders and acknowledged his pivotal role in shaping his own political journey.
He also commended Babangida’s economic reforms, such as the licensing of new-generation banks, which transformed Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Former President Jonathan also praised IBB for his “service to the nation” and expressed gratitude for the insights shared in the book.
The event provided a rare opportunity for IBB to reflect on his military rule, his controversial decisions, and the legacy of his time in power.
In a display of support for the former military president, some of Nigeria’s most influential figures, including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and General Theophilus Danjuma, pledged an overwhelming sum of over N17 billion during the public launch of his highly anticipated autobiography, A Journey In Service.
The event, held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, marked a historic moment for the former leader, who served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1985 to 1993.
The IBB Presidential Library Foundation raised significant funds to support the ongoing expansion of the library, which will house critical records of Babangida’s presidency, his personal life, and his controversial decisions.
Among the largest donors, Dangote, the billionaire owner of Dangote Group, pledged N8 billion, with a commitment to contribute N2 billion annually for the next four years.
This was the highest single donation of the evening, setting the stage for an impressive fundraising effort.
Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group and a co-launcher of the book, generously committed N5 billion to the project. Danjuma, the founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation and another co-launcher, followed suit with a N3 billion donation.
Also, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, also made notable contributions, with donations of N50 million and N20 million, respectively.
Businessman Arthur Eze pledged N500 million, adding to the growing sum of donations supporting both the book and the library foundation.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the former military President and Head of State, to anticipate varied criticisms of his newly published book.
As the chairman of the occasion, Obasanjo commended Babangida for his efforts in authoring the book, highlighting that Babangida has not only played a significant role in shaping history but has also contributed to preserving it through his writing.
