General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has long been nicknamed Nigeria’s Maradona for his adept political manoeuvring, often sidestepping accountability for impactful decisions. Babangida, however, surpassed himself in Chapter 12 of A Journey in Service, not by confessing to the annulment of the 12 June 1993, election, but by rewriting history without shame. Instead of owning up to his actions in undermining Nigerians and saying sorry, he blamed General Sani Abacha, Chief Moshood Abiola, and Prof. Humphrey Nwosu — all deceased — for the election’s nullification.
It is an extraordinary act of self-preservation cloaked in deception. Babangida alleges Abacha circumvented him during the annulment, exceeding his authority.
However, he held the positions of Head of State, Commander-in-Chief, and ultimate authority when Nigeria overturned its most democratic election.
The easy targeting of the deceased Abacha is a cowardly act and a blatant misrepresentation of history. Even more tragically, he tries to pin some of the blame on Abiola, whose mandate he stole, claiming Abiola’s political decisions led to the annulment.
He writes: ‘There were claims that Abiola had compiled a list of military officers to retire upon assumption of office, and this caused apprehension within the ranks’.
This is gaslighting at its worst — a desperate attempt to manufacture justification for a blatant act of electoral robbery. Adding insult to injury, Babangida ludicrously accused Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu of deliberately stopping the election results announcement.
He wrote: ‘Prof. Nwosu, in his wisdom, chose to stop the announcement of results, which unfortunately led to further confusion’. This is as ludicrous as it is ridiculous. Nwosu performed his constitutional duties under a regime with absolute authority over the process. Nigerians’ intelligence is insulted by the suggestion of the electoral commission’s independent power to end such a vital national event, disregarding the military government. Babangida’s government, which had already planned the annulment, put immense pressure and intimidation on Nwosu.
Babangida’s true intentions regarding democracy become clearer when we consider his long-standing use of Khalifa, meaning successor, to refer to Abacha. What was the point of the election if Babangida had selected an heir apparent? Babangida’s whole transition programme is now tainted by this revelation.
This implies his intention was to prevent the 12 June election, misleading Nigerians to simulate a democratic handover while secretly preserving military rule.
Babangida’s claim to accept responsibility is a cleverly disguised linguistic trick. In one breath, he declares: ‘I regrettably take responsibility’. Yet, in another, he couches it with justifications, saying the annulment was necessary for national security.
This is not a confession; it is an elaborate performance aimed at avoiding true accountability. If Babangida was genuinely taking responsibility, he would have boldly declared: ‘I am responsible for the annulment.’ He would have apologised to Nigerians, to the families of those who lost their lives in the aftermath of 12 June and to history itself”. But no such thing happened.
Instead, a tragicomic scene played out in Nigeria during his book and library launch; the country’s powerful elite celebrated a man who had committed the political crime of the century. Ironically, over N17 billion was raised at the launch, a reward for the man responsible for one of Nigeria’s darkest chapters.
Ironically, the man who subverted the people’s will through high treason was later lauded for his actions.
The account in A Journey in Service is riddled with contradictions from Babangida. In one instance, he claims he was helpless in preventing the annulment because of military pressure. Yet, he also states: ‘I wanted a smooth transition to a democratic government, but circumstances beyond my control dictated otherwise’. Why didn’t he stand strong against these alleged circumstances if he was committed to democracy? Why did he not resist the forces that sought to undermine the democratic process?
His words expose him as not a leader bound by external forces, but a man lacking the courage to follow through on his promises of change. The truth remains, regardless of book launches, crafted excuses, or political gatherings, as history demonstrates. This was Babangida’s chance to admit his offenses against Nigeria and its people, seek pardon, and even offer restitution.
Instead, he danced on the graves of Abiola, Abacha, and the countless Nigerians who lost their lives because of the crisis he unleashed. The legendary footballer, Diego Armando Maradona dribbled his way to immortality in the annals of football.
However, this time, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, dubbed Nigeria’s Maradona, sidestepped redemption, prioritising cowardice and deceit over courage and truth. History shall not be kind to him.
Ughegbe, Ph. D writes from Abuja
Email:lemmyughegbeofficial@gmail.com
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