The family of late General Sani Abacha has reacted strongly to recent claims made by former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida, in his memoir, A Journey in Service. Babangida’s book sparked controversy when it suggested that the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was widely believed to have been won by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Chief Moshood Abiola, was the responsibility of General Sani Abacha, who served as a senior military officer during Babangida’s regime.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Mohammed Abacha, a scion of the late Head of State, responded to Babangida’s accusations, calling them a deliberate distortion of the historical record. The statement highlighted that General Sani Abacha, at the time of the annulment, was not the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian military.
According to Mohammed, Babangida, as the then military president, held “absolute control” over the events that unfolded during his administration, making him solely responsible for the annulment of the election.
The June 12 election, which saw Moshood Abiola as the apparent winner, is widely regarded as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s history. However, the subsequent annulment by Babangida’s government led to widespread unrest, with Abiola’s supporters seeing it as an unjust act that robbed the country of its first opportunity for a truly democratic transition.
In A Journey in Service, Babangida claimed that Abacha was responsible for the annulment, a claim that has now become a point of contention between the two former military leaders. Mohammed Abacha’s statement, however, pointed out that the accusations were not only misleading but also harmful to the historical memory of his late father.
“It is important to state unequivocally that General Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief at the time the June 12 election was annulled. The decision to annul the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute executive powers and was solely responsible for the actions of his government,” the statement read.
The Abacha family also expressed disappointment in Babangida’s memoir, which they felt missed the opportunity to provide a truthful and objective account of Nigeria’s political history. “We regret that A Journey in Service missed the opportunity and failed to make history as a truthful and objective account of past events,” Mohammed Abacha said.
The June 12 election and its annulment have remained contentious in Nigerian politics, with many believing that the true winner, Moshood Abiola, was denied a legitimate chance to lead the country, leading to significant social and political fallout. For the Abacha family, these recent claims only serve to further cloud the historical context of General Sani Abacha’s role during that period.
The annulled June 12 election marked a pivotal moment in Nigerian history. The election was considered free and fair by international observers, with Abiola’s victory widely recognised by the public as a step towards Nigeria’s much-needed transition to civilian rule after years of military dictatorship.
However, after the election results were announced, Babangida’s government controversially declared the election null and void, citing various irregularities. The annulment led to widespread protests and calls for democracy, culminating in the eventual rise of Moshood Abiola as a symbol of the pro-democracy movement.
The annulment also triggered a series of political crises that would lead to increased military involvement in Nigeria’s political landscape. Following Babangida’s departure from office in 1993, General Sani Abacha assumed power in a military coup and ruled Nigeria until his sudden death in 1998. Despite his controversial rule, Abacha’s administration was known for its efforts to stabilise the country amidst ongoing economic and political turbulence.
