21st February, 2025
Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida’s attempt to rewrite history regarding the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election has sparked widespread reactions, with Dr. Joe Odumakin, President of the Centre for Change, strongly condemning the move.
Speaking in response to Babangida’s remarks at the launch of his autobiography, Odumakin accused the former leader of engaging in “Maradona-style double-speak” by admitting responsibility for annulling the election while simultaneously blaming the late General Sani Abacha, his then Chief of Army Staff, for the decision.
“It is ridiculous that Babangida, as Commander-in-Chief, would accuse a deceased man of such a grave offence, knowing fully well that Abacha can no longer defend himself,” Odumakin said.
She questioned Babangida’s claims, pointing out that he had the authority to remove Abacha if the latter had indeed acted against the people’s mandate given to Chief Moshood Abiola.
Odumakin also recalled the repeated delays in Babangida’s transition to civilian rule, noting that he postponed the handover to a democratically elected government in 1990 and 1992 before finally annulling the 1993 election.
“Will he also blame Abacha for those postponements? What about the banning, unbanning, and re-banning of political associations and individuals? Was Abacha responsible for that too?” she asked.
According to Odumakin, Babangida’s transition programme was never designed to hand over power to a democratic government.
She called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive steps to correct the historical injustice.
“For now, President Tinubu should posthumously recognize Abiola as a past President of Nigeria and grant his family all the rights and entitlements due to deceased presidents.
“Furthermore, those responsible for the annulment of the 1993 election must be held accountable for the chaos and unrest it unleashed on the nation,” she stated.
