Former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida says military forces led by Sani Abacha, who was his chief of defence staff and later became military head of state, annulled the June 12 election without his permission.
But the former Military President says he regretted the annulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election.
All these were contained in an autobiography titled ‘A Journey in Service’.
A much anticipated memoir of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, A Man who played a significant role in Nigeria’s political history has been launched.
His influence extends beyond the military circles to government , public and private sectors.
His Positive effect was evident in the assemblage of prominent Nigerians that converged to honour a man who stepped aside as head of state and president of Nigeria in August 1993, 32 years ago.
After three decades, General Babangida gives an account of his own side of history, the role he played on the centre stage in critical events like the annulment of June 12, The death of Dele Giwa, The Mamman Vasta Coup, and the Gideon Okar coup.
For the First time, the Charismatic Military General openly admits that Chief MKO Abiola won the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, he also accepted full responsibility for the events that led to the annulment of the election adjudged to be the best ever conducted in Nigeria’s history of democratic elections.
The Special Guest at the official launch of General Babangida’s autobiography was President Bola Tinubu, who was once a victim of several decisions taken to truncate the democratic process.
President Tinubu recalled how he challenged Ibrahim Babangida over his failure to inaugurate the National Assembly when President Tinubu was elected to represent Lagos West in 1992.
Now that General Ibrahim Babangida has decided to tell it all, some major characters in that episode of Nigeria’s history like Humphrey Nwosu, chairman of the national electoral commission are not alive to also give an account of their roles in the annals of the country .
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was the chairman of the occasion, and also part of Nigeria’s history, said General Babangida’s autobiography is a contribution to documenting history.
Almost everyone that encountered the man that was fondly called Maradona, or evil genius, still has an impression that has lasted for several decades.
For General Yakubu Gowon, it is the decision of General Babangida to restore his military ranks after being falsely implicated in the 1976 Dimka coup that still sticks in his mind.
Former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo reviewed the 420 page book that contains details of events preceding General Babangida’s time as head of state, and his role in coups that altered the course of Nigeria’s political development.
In the coming days, General Ibrahim Babangida’s account of history will come under heavy scrutiny, issues raised will be fact checked and many more questions will be asked, especially why he waited for more than 3 decades to set the record straight.
