The family of the late General Sani Abacha has rejected claims by former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, that Abacha was responsible for annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a statement on Sunday, Abacha’s son, Mohammed, accused Babangida of twisting historical facts in his new book, A Journey in Service. The book claims that Abacha played a major role in annulling the election, which is widely seen as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.
‘Abacha Had No Power to Annul June 12 Election’
Mohammed Abacha dismissed the allegation, insisting his father had no authority to make such a decision.
“The annulment happened under General Babangida, who was Head of State and held absolute power at the time. Any attempt to blame Abacha is a deliberate distortion of history,” he said.
He warned against efforts to rewrite history for political reasons, urging Nigerians to stay vigilant against false narratives.
Abacha Was Loyal to Babangida, Says Son
Despite the accusations, Mohammed stressed that Abacha remained a loyal friend to Babangida until his death. He recalled how his father protected Babangida when his life was in danger, ensuring his safety.
‘A Journey in Service’ Lacks Truth, Says Abacha’s Son
Mohammed criticized Babangida’s book, saying it failed to present an honest account of past events.
“We regret that A Journey in Service missed the chance to tell the truth. As one commentator put it, ‘honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author,’” he stated.
Babangida’s claims have sparked fresh debate over the annulment of the June 12 election, a major turning point in Nigeria’s history.
