Politics

Babangida Points Finger at Abacha for June 12 Annulment, Admits Regret

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2025

Thirty-two years after Nigeria’s most controversial election, former military president Ibrahim Babangida has broken his silence in a new autobiography, A Journey in Service, revealing the behind-the-scenes power struggle that led to the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Babangida, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, acknowledged the election as “credible, free, and fair,” admitting that Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won convincingly. Yet, in a shocking twist, he blamed his former Chief of Defence Staff, General Sani Abacha, and other military officers for overriding his authority to cancel the election without his consent.

The retired general took responsibility for the debacle but painted a picture of a military deeply divided, with Abacha emerging as an unstoppable force. He recounted how, even as he prepared to leave power in August 1993, removing Abacha was impossible. By November, Abacha had seized control, installing himself as head of state in a coup that would later define Nigeria’s darkest political years.

Revisiting the fateful days leading to the annulment, Babangida described a chaotic scene. On June 10, just two days before the election, a shadowy political group, the Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN), secured an injunction from an Abuja High Court, halting the polls. Led by the controversial Arthur Nzeribe, the ABN had spent months lobbying for military rule extension. Though Babangida admitted Nzeribe had ties to him, he insisted he did not sanction ABN’s actions.

Confusion engulfed the government as conflicting court rulings emerged. While a Lagos court insisted the election proceed, Attorney General Clement Akpamgbo advised compliance with the Abuja order. Babangida, however, stood firm. In a heated security meeting on June 11, top military officers, including Abacha and Lt-General Joshua Dogonyaro, pushed for postponement. But Babangida turned to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, and declared: “Go ahead with the elections.”

Voting proceeded on June 12. Nigerians braved the polls, hopeful democracy had finally arrived. But then, on June 16, NEC abruptly stopped announcing results. Babangida claimed he was blindsided. “I knew instantly that certain fifth columnists were at work,” he wrote. The court battles intensified as ABN secured another ruling to halt the results.

Then came June 23. As Babangida traveled to Katsina for a funeral, a decision was made behind his back. A hastily written statement, devoid of presidential seals, was read out by Admiral Augustus Aikhomu’s press secretary, Nduka Irabor. The election was annulled. Babangida was stunned. “I was alarmed and horrified… I knew I was caught between a devil and the deep blue sea,” he admitted.

The next two months became a scramble for survival. Pressured from all sides, Babangida resigned on August 26, handing power to an interim government led by Ernest Shonekan. But Abacha had other plans. By November, he swept in, ending the short-lived transition and plunging Nigeria into an era of dictatorship.

Reflecting on his role, Babangida said he had come to fully accept that Abiola won the election fair and square. In the book’s appendix, he published the official results: Abiola secured 8,128,720 votes against Bashir Tofa’s 5,841,847, surpassing the constitutional requirements for victory.

“I regret June 12. I take full responsibility,” Babangida wrote. But his memoir also serves as an indictment of the forces he claims outmaneuvered him. The ghosts of June 12, it seems, still haunt Nigeria’s most enigmatic military ruler.

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Politics

Erelu Bisi Fayemi Condemns Senate’s Treatment of Senator Natasha, Calls It a War Against Women in Power

Published

12 months ago

March 8, 2025

GistNaijaHub

Renowned feminist and former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has strongly criticized the Nigerian Senate over its handling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Fayemi described the events as a deliberate attempt to silence women in leadership, warning that the issue goes beyond one senator and reflects a wider culture of intimidation and misogyny.

Speaking on the controversy, Fayemi expressed disappointment in how the situation unfolded, particularly the lack of solidarity from fellow female politicians. “What happened in the Senate was not just about Natasha. It is about the systemic war against women in power,” she stated.

The incident began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, attempted to speak during a session but was denied recognition. After refusing to move to a newly assigned seat, she made allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio on national television. The fallout was immediate. Rather than investigate the claims, the Senate quickly moved to suspend her for six months, stripping her of all legislative privileges.

Fayemi criticized the Senate’s approach, pointing out that instead of addressing the allegations fairly, the institution focused on discrediting Akpoti-Uduaghan. She also condemned the response from female senators, including Senator Ireti Kingibe and former senators Abiodun Olujimi and Florence Ita-Giwa, for failing to stand by their colleague.

“It was painful to watch women in leadership miss an opportunity to challenge the culture of intimidation that so many of us have had to endure,” Fayemi remarked. She also took issue with Ita-Giwa’s claim that “no one can harass a female senator,” citing past incidents where female politicians faced open threats and public humiliation.

She recalled the 2016 case of former Senator Dino Melaye, who threatened to assault and impregnate Senator Oluremi Tinubu in the Senate chamber, a statement that sparked outrage but carried no consequences. “This is the same impunity that allows powerful men to humiliate and silence women when they refuse to conform,” Fayemi noted.

The backlash against Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated when Senator Peter Nwebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip, went on television to attack her personal life, suggesting that because of the number of children she has or the men she has been with, her allegations should not be taken seriously. Fayemi described his comments as a blatant example of the misogyny that women in leadership face.

The situation worsened when a group of female protesters took to the streets, denouncing Akpoti-Uduaghan for being “stubborn.” Fayemi dismissed their stance, arguing that their words only mirrored the views of those in power who expect women to be silent and obedient.

Reflecting on the events, Fayemi stated that the Senate’s handling of the issue was a calculated effort to humiliate and punish Akpoti-Uduaghan. She noted that suspending a senator for six months directly contradicts court rulings that prohibit legislative suspensions exceeding 14 days.

“The message is clear—any woman who refuses to play by the rules set by men will be dealt with,” she warned. “But this fight is not just about one woman. It is about the constant battle women in power face, the scrutiny of their personal lives, and the expectation that they must shrink themselves to survive.”

As Nigeria marked International Women’s Day, Fayemi called for a deeper conversation about gender equality in leadership. “The question is not whether Natasha is right or wrong,” she said. “The question is, how much longer will we allow ourselves to be silenced?”