Former Military Head of State, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has revealed that his military successor, late Gen Sani Abacha was smart and deceived Nigerians with the 1993 coup.
The 1993 election which was expected to transition Nigeria from military to democratic rule was suddenly cancelled by Babangida before the then Independent Electoral Commission (NEC) could fully announce the results.
Business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola was all set to be announced as the winner of the presidential election before it was annulled by the former Head of State.
The development led to a nationwide protest which lasted weeks.
Following the annulment, Ernest Shonekan was appointed to head an Interim National Government. He was however, overthrown by late Abacha within 82 days in the seat of power.
In an interview with Trust TV, Babangida stated that Abacha and his cronies deceived some Nigerians who were most vocal about the June 12 election, the coup and other national issues.
He revealed that Abacha encouraged Abiola’s supporters to get rid of the interim government by promising to return Nigeria to a civilian government which he later failed to do.
Babangida, infamously called Maradona, however, said he knew Abacha would not relinquish power after he took over in a coup.
He said: “When we came up with the idea of an interim government, Nigerians said they were tired of anything or the media phrase was ‘that contraption called interim government’.
“What we did, the interim government, we gave it life, we gave it tenure, we had a date for another election but we were told “forget it, no election; Nigerians are wary of the election, just pack and go”.
“We managed to set it up, we gave it six months so that by February of 199…I can’t remember now, we could have held another election so that we can hand over to a democratically elected government.
“Now one of the fears is that we couldn’t come openly and tell you, people, that this is what we fear or this is what we are going to do, somebody is going to do A,B,C,D,E,F. The life of that interim government was cut short by coup d’etat, change of government.
“And the Abacha’s government was very smart. They knew who were the most vociferous discussants about the election, about coup, about June 12 and so on, they started talking to them and sold a dummy to them, they encourage them to get rid of the interim government; “when we get rid of the interim government we will bring you back to come and take over your democracy so that a civilian government would be installed”.
“They sold that dummy to the public and to some prominent persons within the society and when Abacha stepped in, there were drumming and sighs; “Good thing! Next thing is going to be a democratically elected government”.
“I knew, we knew, that it wouldn’t be because the argument was: “Why should I risk my life only to come and hand over power to you?”, that was what happened.”
Babangida served as military president of Nigeria from 1985 until his resignation in 1993.
He rose through the ranks to serve from 1984 to 1985 as Chief of Army Staff; going on to orchestrate his seizure of power in a palace coup d’ètat against Muhammadu Buhari.
Read also:
IBB’s Defence of June 12 Annulment Gets Afenifere Backlash (video)
‘Abacha Was Very Smart, Deceitful’ – Babangida