Former Nigerian military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has publicly expressed regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as one of the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.
Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” in Abuja on Thursday, Babangida admitted that the decision to nullify the election was a misstep.
“I regret June 12. I accept full responsibility for the decisions taken, and June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes, missteps happened in quick succession,” he stated.
The annulled election, held on 12 June 1993, saw Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola emerge as the presumed winner. Despite the widespread acceptance of the results, the military government led by Babangida annulled the election, leading to political unrest and a prolonged transition to civilian rule.
In his memoir, Babangida also pointed to internal pressures within the military as a significant factor influencing the annulment. He revealed that forces led by then-Chief of Defence Staff, General Sani Abacha, acted without his consent in cancelling the election results.
“Military officers led by Sani Abacha annulled the June 12 election without my permission,” Babangida disclosed.
Reflecting on the events, Babangida acknowledged the profound impact of the annulment on Nigeria’s democratic journey and expressed a desire to have approached the situation differently.
“If given another chance, I would have handled the June 12 election differently,” he conceded.
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