June 12: I take responsibility – IBB

Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has provided his most detailed account yet of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, a landmark event in Nigeria’s democratic history that continues to spark debate decades later. For years, the circumstances surrounding the annulment have been shrouded in controversy, with various figures offering conflicting […]

Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has provided his most detailed account yet of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, a landmark event in Nigeria’s democratic history that continues to spark debate decades later.

For years, the circumstances surrounding the annulment have been shrouded in controversy, with various figures offering conflicting explanations. However, on Thursday, Babangida presented his own version of events in his autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, launched in Abuja.

The book, reviewed by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), provides fresh insight into the historic decision that halted Nigeria’s democratic transition. It also marks the first time Babangida unequivocally acknowledged that late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election and that he regretted its annulment.

Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), contested against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in what has been widely described as Nigeria’s most credible election. However, as results were being compiled, Babangida’s military government abruptly halted the process, triggering widespread protests and political turmoil.

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‘Abiola won; Abacha-led forces annulled June 12’

Osinbajo in his review revealed that Babangida dedicated an entire chapter of the 420-page book to discussing Nigeria’s transition to democracy and the annulment of the June 12 election. He noted that Babangida, for the first time, directly identified those responsible for the annulment.

According to The Cable, which obtained excerpts from the book, Babangida wrote:

“I would later find out that the ‘forces’ led by General Sani Abacha annulled the elections. There and then, I knew I was caught between ‘a devil and the deep blue sea’!! From then on, the June 12 elections took on a painful twist for which, as I will show later, I regrettably take responsibility.”

Recalling the incidents that led to the annulment, Babangida was quoted to have said: “A group known as the Association to Better Nigeria (ABN), led by Arthur Nzeribe had filed the lawsuit that Nzeribe was close to him, but denied supporting the activities of ABN.

“From out of nowhere, on June 10, two days before the presidential election, the same shadowy group, ABN, which had been campaigning for an extension of military rule, approached the Abuja High Court of Justice Bassey Ikpeme for an injunction to stop NEC (National Electoral Commission) from conducting the elections,” he said in his memoir.

“Unknown to me at the time, Justice Ikpeme, who was relatively young at the Bench, had worked in the chambers of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Clement Akpamgbo. Strangely, Justice Ikpeme, in the dead of night, in clear violation of Decree 13, which barred any court from interfering with NEC’s conduct or scheduling of the elections, granted the ABN an injunction stopping NEC from conducting the June 12 elections. There was confusion everywhere.”

He said he quickly convened an emergency meeting of the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), the country’s highest governing body, to discuss the way forward.

“On Friday, June 11, as the NDSC meeting was going on, I learned that a Lagos High Court had ruled that NEC should go ahead with the elections. The NDSC meeting on Friday, June 11, only hours before the scheduled elections, was one of the stormiest meetings I ever conducted as President. Strangely, the Attorney General and Justice Minister, Akpamgbo, who was the nation’s chief law officer and who ought to know that the Justice Ikpeme court order violated an extant law (and was tacitly supported, it turned out by some of my topmost military officers), advised that the elections be postponed in compliance with the Abuja court order. Professor (Humphrey) Nwosu (NEC chairman) insisted, to the dismay of my top military colleagues, that he had enough powers under the law to proceed with the elections.

“The arguments went on for hours in a tense atmosphere, peopled by some who wanted the elections postponed, among them the Chief of Defence Staff, General Sani Abacha, Lt-General Joshua Dogonyaro and a few Service Chiefs. But I had my views bottled inside me! Even before Professor Nwosu presented his compelling argument, I decided that the elections should proceed, backed firmly by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Salihu Ibrahim.”

The former president said he gave Nwosu the go ahead for the election and directed him to “hold a world press conference and tell everyone the elections will hold tomorrow as planned.”

He said on June 16, Nwosu suddenly stopped the announcement of the election results even though the voting was peaceful and orderly.

“And then, on June 16, without my knowledge or prior approval, NEC Chairman, Professor Nwosu, announced the suspension of the June 12 election results ‘until further notice’. I knew instantly that certain fifth columnists were at work and that there was a need for extra care! And even after that suspension of the announcements of results, ABN obtained another ‘strange’ court order from Justice Saleh’s court in Abuja, stopping the release of the results of the elections,” he wrote.

Babangida recalled that he left Abuja for Katsina on June 23, to commiserate with the Yar’adua family over the death of their patriarch, Musa Yar’adua, former minister of Lagos affairs.

“The funeral had taken place, and as I got ready to leave, a report filtered to me that the June 12 elections had been annulled. Even more bizarre was the extent of the annulment because it terminated all court proceedings regarding the June 12 elections, repealed all the decrees governing the Transition and even suspended NEC! Equally weird was the shabby way the statement was couched and made. Admiral (Augustus) Aikhomu’s press secretary, Nduka Irabor, had read out a terse, poorly worded statement from a scrap of paper, which bore neither the presidential seal nor the official letterhead of the government, annulling the June 12 presidential elections. I was alarmed and horrified,” he narrated.

On whether Abiola won the election, Babangida admitted: “Although I am on record to have stated after the elections that Abiola may not have won, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all the available facts, particularly the detailed election results published as an appendix to this volume, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections.

“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: majority votes and geographical spread. He obtained 8,128,720 votes against Tofa’s 5,848,247 votes and secured the mandatory one-third of the votes cast in 28 states of the federation, including Abuja…

“I am gratified that the Buhari administration finally recognised him as a former head of state.”

Babangida also acknowledged that the annulment was the hardest decision of his life, stating:

“Looking back now, the June 12 saga was undeniably the most challenging moment of my life and, in certain respects, one of the most painful… If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it differently.”

 

‘I regret and take responsibility for June 12’ – IBB

During his speech at the launch, Babangida reiterated his regret over the annulment and took full responsibility for it.

“The tragic irony of history remains that an 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 expression of regret. As the leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all the decisions taken under my watch. And June 12 happened under my watch.

“Mistakes, oversights, and missteps happened in quick succession. But as I said 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 that I deeply regretted, but Nigeria survived, and democracy is still alive – a testament to our resilience and commitment to progress.”

He also took the opportunity to acknowledge those who worked with him throughout his tenure as head of state.

 

How I challenged Babangida – Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was elected as a senator representing Lagos West in 1992, shared a personal encounter with Babangida when the military leader kept postponing the inauguration of the National Assembly.

He said: “One thing I cannot forget: you were in office. You recall we were elected, and you kept on postponing the inauguration. You summoned us to Abuja, and when we became rancorous, you summoned us to the International Conference Centre. I was not expecting to make any comment. I was just listening in my own radical manner that this man is not going to inaugurate us again.

“When I was summoned by Dele Cole to make a remark, I confronted you that you had an opportunity to make history that day and you failed to do it. Why not inaugurate us? Why are you calling us back and postponing the inauguration?

“They thought I would end up in jail. You came out right at the end of the remark, you shook me. I can’t forget that.”

Tinubu also acknowledged Babangida’s influence on his political journey.

He said, “Whatever might have happened, the hallmark is hearing the truth from our dear leader, father, uncle, General Ibrahim Babangida. Without you, people like me wouldn’t be in politics.

“You inspired some of us. You liberalised the banking sector. You encouraged young people to participate in politics. I am here to pay homage and say thank you for everything you have contributed to the history of this great country.”

 

Get ready for criticisms, says Obasanjo

Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised Babangida to brace for criticism following the revelations in his newly launched book.

Obasanjo, who chaired the event, said: “You have written a book—it is Babangida’s story. The book will be read, quoted, and criticised. Some will agree with you in part, others will disagree, and some may even reject it entirely.

“Some will say, ‘Why should you write the book? It is self-gratification.’ Controversy may arise. That is all good—for you, for the book, and for our nation-building process.

“The more it is praised and condemned, the better, because it means it is being read. That is the purpose of writing a serious book, which I strongly believe this is.

“Where necessary and desirable, take note for a possible second edition, where you can provide clarifications, respond to criticism, and make corrections where required,” he added.

 

Soothsayer predicted in 1952 that IBB would be president – Abdulsalami

Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar revealed that a soothsayer predicted Babangida’s rise to power as far back as 1952—33 years before he became Nigeria’s leader.

Speaking at the event, Abdulsalami, a childhood friend and neighbour of Babangida in Minna, Niger State, recalled the prediction.

“As we were growing up in the little town of Minna about 80 years ago, in 1952, a soothsayer told us that IBB would one day be the Head of State of this country,” he said.

“We never believed him. Then, Captain Gowon, a young, smart officer, lured us into joining the military. At the time, our highest ambition was to attain the rank of captain and retire.

“But God, in His mercy, propelled us to become generals. By His grace, we both later became Heads of State. Whenever we recall our journey, it brings smiles to our faces.”

Also speaking, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) expressed gratitude to Babangida for restoring his military rank after he was implicated in the 1976 Dimka coup, which led to the assassination of then-Head of State, Murtala Muhammad.

“I had a very rough time in government—I was even charged with treason,” Gowon said. “Later, President Shagari rescinded that order, and you (IBB) eventually restored my rank and honour. You did a lot for this country.”

In 1976, Obasanjo, then Nigeria’s military ruler, dismissed Gowon from the army following the coup. However, in 1981, President Shehu Shagari pardoned him, and six years later, Babangida reinstated his military rank and benefits.

 

Jonathan urges Tinubu to establish presidential library department

Former President Goodluck Jonathan called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a department in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to oversee presidential libraries, emphasising the importance of preserving historical records.

Speaking at the event, Jonathan said every president makes history, but not all contribute to documenting it. He stressed that proper documentation strengthens historical accuracy.

“When I left office, I toured the United States for six months and visited most of their presidential libraries. These libraries are considered federal government assets,” he said.

“So, Mr President (Tinubu), you need to set up a department under the Secretary to the Government’s office.

“In the U.S., the government supports the management of presidential libraries. This is why all American presidents have them—there are numerous examples.”

Jonathan commended Babangida for launching his memoir, stating that Nigeria’s history is incomplete without his contributions.

“Ibrahim Babangida, as we all know, is one of Nigeria’s most charismatic leaders. Even today, people visit him as if on a pilgrimage to seek his counsel,” Jonathan said.

“We thank God for granting him the wisdom to continue mentoring people. Nigerians recognise his significant contributions to the country’s infrastructure development and social mobilisation.

“We cannot write Nigeria’s history without dedicating a significant part to his tenure as president.”

Jonathan further urged other former leaders to establish presidential libraries to ensure better documentation of the nation’s history.

 

Dangote, BUA CEO, others raise billions for library

Meanwhile, billions of naira was raised at the fundraising event for the IBB Presidential Library and Event Centre project.

The chief launchers, General Theophilus Danjuma and BUA Group Chairman Abdulsamad Rabiu, donated N3 billion and N5 billion, respectively.

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, pledged N8 billion, to be disbursed over four years at N2 billion per annum.

Business mogul, Chief Arthur Eze, contributed N500 million, while Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) donated N250 million, Mustafa Chike-Obi of Fidelity Bank gave N100 million, among others.

 

Abiola is vindicated; FG should release his entitlements – Family

Reacting to Babangida’s revelation, the family of Abiola  said last night that the late business mogul and politician has been vindicated.

Speaking with Daily Trust, the Secretary of the Abiola family in the Gbagura clan of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Ameen Abiola, said, “We can Thank God that the truth is out finally and that God has vindicated our late father, late Chief MKO Abiola. God knows all things best. The only thing I pray for is that all that late Chief MKO Abiola stood out for continue to come to limelight.

“I am really excited that at this critical point in time God has shown His greatness by ensuring that the person who actually annulled the election has personally come out to say the truth about the election.”

He called on President Tinubu to give MKO Abiola all entitlements due to him posthumously, while applauding former President Muhammadu Buhari, for the recognition given to Abiola while in power.

On the family’s demands, “The only thing is that our father be given all that a president of Nigeria should be given posthumously.

“Everything that a president of this country is privileged to…I hope that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who already has the Renewed Hope agenda will do it. It’s something he can do because he was also part of the June 12 struggle.”

Asked if the IBB’s revelation has come rather late to the family, he said, “Nothing is ever late in the sight of God. If he was dead, the truth would not have come out. God who has preserved his own life for him to speak the truth at this time knows best.

“Yes, so many things have happened even to the Abiola family but to the glory of God we are all still existing and we believe that at the right point in time the greatness and the struggle of our father, late Chief MKO Abiola, would not be in vain, Insha Allah.”

 

Abacha didn’t singlehandedly annul election – Abiola’s associate

Also, Barrister Tayo Douglas, who worked closely with late Abiola, also stated that it was better late than never.

He said, “We thank him for summoning the courage but again he should allow us to rest and not trouble our sensibilities. How could your number two man annul election singlehandedly to such an extent that the press release would be issued by his Press Secretary without the Head of State’s involvement? Is that story pleasant to the ear?

“So he should not disturb our sensibilities. We thank him for having come this far. If he had opportunity he would do it differently too. So we thank him. He is courageous too like Tinubu. But to now disturb our sensibility is what we frown at.”

 

Additional reports from: Abdullateef Aliyu & Peter Moses (Lagos)