Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has publicly admitted regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, acknowledging it as a mistake under his administration. Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, in Abuja on Thursday, Babangida stated that if given another opportunity, he would have acted differently.
The annulled election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, was contested between Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). While results indicated Abiola’s imminent victory, the military government led by Babangida controversially annulled the exercise, sparking national outrage and political unrest.
‘I Accept Full Responsibility’ – Babangida
At the event, Babangida took personal responsibility for the decision, acknowledging the widespread criticism that followed the annulment. “I regret June 12. I accept full responsibility for the decisions taken, and June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes and missteps occurred in quick succession,” he admitted.
His remarks were made after former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo reviewed the book, which details Babangida’s career in the military, his years in power, and the political turbulence that shaped his administration.
Security Concerns Influenced Annulment
Babangida, who had previously defended the annulment in past interviews, reiterated that his decision was influenced by national security concerns. He claimed that despite the election’s credibility, his government believed that the country was not ready for civilian rule at the time.
“June 12 was accepted by Nigerians as the best election ever conducted. It was free and fair. But unfortunately, we canceled that election,” he said. “For the first time, I use the word ‘unfortunately.’ We were in government at the time, and we knew the possible consequences of handing over to a democratic government.”
He revealed that the military feared a coup if a transition had been allowed to proceed. “The issue of national security was a major threat. If we had handed over, I am certain that within six months, there would have been another coup. We would have considered ourselves to have failed if the democratic government was overthrown so soon after transition.”
Babangida, who survived several coup attempts during his tenure, argued that political tensions and divisions within the military made the situation even more fragile. “Coups are not accidental; someone always comes forward with grievances, gathers support, and stages an overthrow. We knew that there would be another coup, but many people did not believe us,” he added.
A Missed Opportunity for Democracy
June 12, 1993, remains one of the most significant dates in Nigeria’s democratic history. The annulment of the election led to widespread protests, civil unrest, and the eventual death of Abiola in detention in 1998 under the regime of General Sani Abacha.
The move also marked the beginning of the end of Babangida’s rule. Following nationwide backlash and pressure from the international community, he stepped down on August 26, 1993, and handed over power to an Interim National Government (ING) led by Chief Ernest Shonekan. However, the ING was short-lived, as Abacha, who served as Minister of Defence under Babangida, seized power in November 1993.
Babangida disclosed that before his exit, he had planned to conduct another election in November 1993 but was unable to do so due to the hostility that followed the annulment. “We had conceived another election for November 1993 with a better strategy. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was already too volatile, and things spiraled out of control,” he said.
The Legacy of June 12
The annulment of the June 12 election remains a dark chapter in Nigeria’s political history. Over the years, several attempts have been made to acknowledge the significance of the election and its winner, MKO Abiola. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously honored Abiola with the title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), recognizing him as the rightful winner of the election. Additionally, June 12 was officially declared Nigeria’s Democracy Day, replacing May 29, which previously marked the country’s return to civilian rule.
Despite this recognition, many Nigerians continue to demand full accountability for the annulment and the injustices that followed. Babangida’s recent statement, while acknowledging his regrets, does not erase the consequences of the decision, which many believe derailed Nigeria’s democratic progress for years.
Reactions to Babangida’s Confession
Babangida’s admission has sparked reactions across the country. Some political analysts believe his statement is an attempt to rewrite history and absolve himself of responsibility, while others argue that his acknowledgment, even if belated, is significant.
Professor Jideofor Adibe, a political analyst, described Babangida’s comments as “an attempt to manage his legacy.” According to him, “This is a man who, for decades, defended the annulment. If he truly regretted it, he could have said so earlier and provided more details on the political forces that influenced his decision.”
On the other hand, former Senator Shehu Sani welcomed Babangida’s statement but insisted that full accountability is still required. “Acknowledging regret is not enough. The Nigerian people deserve the full truth about what happened behind closed doors and why the military decided to subvert the will of the people,” he said.
