- Mohammed Abacha issued a statement rejecting Babangida’s accusations over the June 12 annulment, stressing Abacha was not responsible for the election’s cancellation
- The Abacha family warned against revisionist narratives, urging Nigerians to uphold the truth about General Abacha’s role in history
- They recalled Abacha’s loyalty to Babangida, emphasising his support during a period when Babangida’s life was reportedly under threat
The family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has strongly rejected claims made by former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), in his autobiography A Journey in Service, suggesting that their late father was primarily responsible for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Mohammed Abacha, a scion of the Abacha family, issued a statement on Sunday, March 9, challenging Babangida’s account of the events surrounding the controversial annulment.
According to Mohammed, Babangida missed the opportunity to provide a truthful and objective account of the past, instead offering a distorted version of history.
In the statement, Mohammed contended that “honesty, sincerity, and integrity” were qualities rarely associated with Babangida.
He further emphasised that at the time of the annulment, General Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
As such, he argued that Abacha could not have been responsible for the annulment of the election, which was widely regarded as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The Abacha family reiterated that the decision to annul the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, wielded absolute executive powers and was directly responsible for the actions of his government.
They accused Babangida of attempting to rewrite history and shift the blame for the annulment to Abacha, a senior officer in the military regime at the time.
The family also warned Nigerians to be cautious of revisionist narratives that seek to manipulate public perception for personal or political gain.
“The memory of our late father and leader, General Sani Abacha, must not be tarnished by baseless accusations meant to absolve those who were truly responsible,” the statement read.
Further reinforcing their position, the family highlighted the longstanding relationship between General Abacha and General Babangida.
They stressed that, despite the recent allegations, Abacha remained a loyal and steadfast friend to Babangida until his passing.
The statement also recalled an occasion when Abacha came to Babangida’s aid, ensuring his safety when his life was reportedly under threat.
In conclusion, the family expressed their gratitude to Nigerians who have defended General Sani Abacha’s legacy, commending their commitment to truth and historical accuracy.
“We acknowledge the outpouring of support from those who refuse to allow history to be distorted,” the family said.
20 interesting facts you probably didn’t know about MKO Abiola
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Abiola was awarded the highest national honour, the posthumous award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), by President Muhammadu Buhari as the presumed winner of the June 12 presidential election.
Late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola would forever be remembered in history as the man who fought for democracy in Nigeria and died for this cause, which is why the country now celebrates its democracy on June 12 every year.
