Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed deep regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, describing it as the most difficult period of his life.
Speaking at the official launch of his memoir, A Journey in Service, in Abuja on Thursday, Babangida acknowledged that the election was credible, free, and fair but remained incomplete due to historical circumstances.
“Undoubtedly, the election of June 12, 1993, was one of the most credible and transparent in Nigeria’s history. However, the unfortunate irony remains that the administration responsible for implementing a near-perfect electoral system was unable to see it through,” Babangida said.
“That accident of history is most regrettable. As the leader of the military government at the time, I take full responsibility for all decisions made under my watch,” he added.
Reflecting on the annulment, Babangida admitted that mistakes, oversights, and missteps occurred but maintained that the decisions taken were in the best interest of Nigeria’s survival.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, quoted Babangida’s reflections on the annulment: “June 12 was the most challenging period of my life. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it differently.”
The memoir delves into several significant events in Nigeria’s history, including the 1976 coup attempt that led to the assassination of then-Head of State Murtala Muhammed and the 1986 letter bomb that killed investigative journalist Dele Giwa.
The June 12 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, was won by businessman and politician Moshood Abiola. However, Babangida annulled the results, citing national security concerns, which sparked nationwide protests and political unrest. The fallout eventually led to his resignation and a prolonged struggle for democracy, culminating in Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
Thursday’s event brought together past and present leaders who reflected on Babangida’s legacy and the state of democracy in West Africa. Discussions centered on his contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution and concerns over the resurgence of military coups in the region.
In his keynote address, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of multi-party democracy in Africa’s development. “Multiple parties are essential for our continent. We must protect our democratic institutions,” he urged.
Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), lauded Babangida’s rise from aide-de-camp to head of state, referring to him as a “boss of bosses.” He also thanked Babangida for restoring his military rank, which had been stripped following the 1976 coup.
Another former military leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, shared personal anecdotes about his friendship with Babangida, which spans over 80 years. Recalling a childhood prophecy that foretold Babangida’s rise to power, Abdulsalami commended him for documenting his life journey.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan praised Babangida as one of Nigeria’s most charismatic leaders and advocated for the establishment of presidential libraries to preserve the nation’s political history.
Representing former President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Minister of Transportation Jaji Sambo conveyed Buhari’s congratulations and expressed hope that Babangida would continue offering valuable counsel to Nigeria’s leadership.
The book launch saw significant financial commitments from business leaders. Aliko Dangote and Abdulsamad Rabiu pledged N8 billion and N5 billion, respectively. Dangote also committed N2 billion annually for four years to the construction of the IBB Presidential Library. Other donors included Senator Sani Musa (N250 million), Fidelity Bank (N150 million), and businessman Arthur Eze (N500 million).
