Former military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has revealed that the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola, was carried out by forces under the leadership of General Sani Abacha, without his authorization. This statement, made during a recent interview, offers fresh insight into one of Nigeria’s most controversial political moments.
The June 12, 1993, election was seen as a watershed moment in Nigerian democracy, widely regarded as the fairest and most transparent election in the nation's history. However, in the wake of the election, Babangida’s government unexpectedly annulled the results, leading to national outrage and the eventual political turmoil that followed.
General Babangida, who was the Head of State at the time, emphasized that while he had been involved in overseeing the election process, he was not part of the decision to annul it. He stated that the annulment was the product of forces within the military regime that took matters into their own hands, particularly under General Abacha, who would later seize power after Babangida's resignation.
"I did not give the order to annul the June 12 election. That decision was made without my consent," Babangida said, reflecting on the unprecedented move that shocked both Nigerians and the international community.