What Babangida didn’t say was that had he not annulled the election, those determined to prevent its outcome would have stopped at nothing—even resorting to violence. He, key members of his government, MKO Abiola, Abiola’s family, and anyone who opposed them would have been targeted. His government would have been overthrown in a violent coup, plunging the nation into a long, brutal, and protracted civil war.
Thirty-two years after leaving power, President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has taken full responsibility for the annulment of Chief MKO Abiola’s June 12, 1993, presidential election and its far-reaching consequences.
He has now explained the circumstances surrounding the decision, acknowledging not only that Abiola won the election but also that he was unjustly denied his mandate when the military regime annulled the results.
Babangida has presented his side of the story, choosing not to remain silent. He has neither shied away from the truth nor refused to accept responsibility. Instead, he has confronted history and owned his role in one of Nigeria’s most defining political moments.
Instead of hiding from history, he chose to come clean, showing immense courage by doing what was right and just.
That is the mark of true leadership—acting without fear or favour, no matter whose interests are affected. Kudos to him.
We must appreciate this gesture, let go of bitterness, release our pent-up anger, forgive what many perceive as his transgressions, and move forward.
At the same time, we must accord him his rightful place in history. He was not without flaws—no leader is—but he was undeniably great. Only God is infallible, and no man who has ever led or ruled is without fault.
Those attacking him today for documenting his experiences in his book are driven by malice, ignorance, and blind emotion rather than reason. They fail to grasp his broader legacy, focusing only on June 12 while disregarding his numerous contributions to Nigeria.
I was in the NADECO trenches during those turbulent times and, like many others, paid my dues. Yet, beyond the June 12 issue, IBB did more for Nigeria than almost any other leader.
He left power 32 years ago, yet at his book launch, nearly every living former Nigerian President and Head of State—except Muhammadu Buhari, whom he removed in a 1985 coup—attended in person. Even Buhari sent a representative.
It was a historic event, and I had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand. The presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, General Yakubu Gowon, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Ghana’s former President Nana Akufo-Addo, Sierra Leone’s former President Koroma, former Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo, Namadi Sambo, and Atiku Abubakar speaks volumes about the deep respect the ruling elite hold for him.
May God continue to bless this remarkable man, whose life has been defined by discipline, resilience, dignity, courage, and humility.
I pray that he continues to share his wealth of knowledge and wisdom, contributing to national development for years to come.
Whether his critics accept it or not, IBB remains an enigma, an institution, and the most consequential leader in Nigeria’s history.
That legacy is his alone, and we are proud of him.
I wish him and his family well.
Femi Fani-Kayode
Sadaukin Shinkafi & Wakilin Doka Potiskum
Former Minister of Culture & Tourism, and Aviation, Federal Republic of Nigeria
