By Kingston Magare
On June 12, 1993 Nigerians put aside their tribal and religious sentiment and voted for a President they believed can unite and make progress for their country.
But that dream was crushed when then military head of state General Ibrahim Babangida, shocked the nation with an infamous broadcast bearing the resemblance of coup speech. He announced that the polls, which returned Moshood Kolawole Abiola as President elect has been quashed. His excuse was flimsy and the nation was set ablaze, several hundreds were killed.
Speaking during the launch his memoir titled ‘A Journey in Service,’ in Abuja, General Babaginda dubbed “Evil Genius and Maradona” by the press, said he took responsibility for the debacle which became an albatross on his neck.
“Undoubtedly credible, free and fair elections were held in June, on June 12, 1993,” Babaginda said.
“However, the tragic irony of history remains that the administration that devised a near-perfect electoral system and conducted those near-perfect elections could not complete the process.
“That accident of history is most regrettable. The nation is entitled to expect my impression of regret.
“As a leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken under my watch.”
“And June 12 happened under my watch, mistakes, oversights and missteps happened in quick succession, but I say in my book, in all matters, we acted in the supreme national interest so that Nigeria could survive.
“Our nation’s march to democracy was interrupted, a fact that I deeply regret. But Nigeria and democracy is still alive, a testament to commitment.”
Following the annulment Nigeria was plunged into political turmoil, Abiola the elected President was imprisoned, Earnest Shonekan who became interim president in the government formed by Babaginda was overthrown by General Sanni Abacha who “bared his fangs” and commenced a brutal repression of decenting voices to his rule. People went into exile, people including Kudirat Abiola wife of MKO Abiola were assassinated and people were imprisoned. Abacha eventually died suddenly, Abiola followed later on and General Abdulsalami Abubakar who became head of state ushered Nigeria back into democratic rule.
