The former military leader Ibrahim Babangida’s accusations that the June 12, 1993, presidential election was cancelled have been denied by the family of the late Sani Abacha.
Babangida asserted in his biography, “A Journey in Service,” that the decision was driven by Abacha, his then-chief of defence staff.
However, the family characterised Babangida’s assertions as a “deliberate distortion of historical facts” in a statement released on Sunday by the late general’s son, Mohammed Abacha.
Babangida was accused by the family of trying to change history, and they cautioned Nigerians against “revisionist narratives” that absolve those who should bear the real blame.
“Our attention has been drawn to recent claims made by former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in his newly launched book, ‘A Journey in Service’, where he alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was the responsibility of the late General Sani Abacha,” the statement reads.
“These claims have sparked widespread controversy and necessitate a clear response from the immediate family of General Sani Abacha and the entire Abacha clan in the interest of historical accuracy and justice.
“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.
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“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.
“Any attempt to shift this blame onto General Sani Abacha, who was a very senior military officer within the regime, is a deliberate distortion of historical facts”.
The family noted that Abacha remained loyal to Babangida throughout his lifetime, even protecting him when his life was under threat.
“We regret that ‘A Journey in Service’ missed the opportunity and failed to make history as a truthful and objective account of past events. As one public commentator aptly put it, honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author,” the statement added.
