PeakNews Online
The family of Late General Sani Abacha has rejected claims that the former military ruler was responsible for the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, instead placing the blame squarely on former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB).
In a statement issued on Sunday, Mohammed Abacha, son of the late general, refuted allegations made by Babangida in his recently released book, ‘A Journey in Service’, where he accused Abacha of orchestrating the controversial annulment.
“History Cannot Be Rewritten”
The Abacha family insisted that various actors have tried to rewrite history, but the facts remain unchanged. Mohammed Abacha warned Nigerians against revisionist narratives aimed at manipulating public perception for political or personal gain.
“The memory of our late father and leader must not be tarnished by baseless accusations meant to absolve those who were truly responsible,” he stated.
He further described his father as a loyal ally of Babangida, adding that despite the ongoing attempt to shift blame, General Abacha remained faithful to his comrades until his death.
“Abacha Was Not in Charge”
The statement emphasized that at the time of the annulment, General Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief, placing the responsibility directly on Babangida, who held absolute executive powers.
“The decision to annul the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute authority and was solely responsible for the actions of his government,” the statement read.
The family described any attempt to shift blame onto Abacha as a deliberate distortion of historical facts.
Missed Opportunity for Truth
Mohammed Abacha criticized Babangida’s book, saying it failed to provide an objective and truthful account of past events.
“We regret that ‘A Journey in Service’ missed the opportunity to set the record straight. As one public commentator aptly put it, honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author,” the statement concluded.
The June 12, 1993, election, widely believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Abiola, remains one of Nigeria’s most controversial political events, with blame for its annulment continuing to be a subject of intense debate.
