The family of former Nigerian Military Leader, General Sani Abacha has rejected claims made by a former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, better called IBB concerning the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by Moshood Abiola of Social Democratic Party (SDP). Babangida had in his recently revealed memoir launched 20 February, ‘A Journey in Service’, blamed the annulment on his then Chief of Defence Staff, Sani Abacha.
However, in a statement on Sunday, the late general’s son, Mohammed Abacha, fired back by accusing Babangida of twisting historical facts describing it as a “deliberate distortion of historical facts.” Mohammed Abacha accused Babangida of trying to rewrite history, advising Nigerians to be beware of false narratives that shift fault away from those truly accountable.
“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 June 12, 1993, the presidential election was the responsibility of the late General Sani Abacha,” Abacha said.
“These claims have sparked widespread controversy and necessitate a clear response from the immediate family of Late 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.
“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 Abachas lamented that IBB’s book missed the opportunity and failed to make history a truthful and objective account of past events.
The family added that Abacha remained loyal to Babangida throughout his lifetime, even protecting him when his life was under threat.
