Former Nigerian head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has claimed that he annulled the June 12, 1993 election to save Nigeria.
According to him, there would have been a deadly coup d’etat if the election had materialized.
The military regime of Babangida had been in power prior to the June 12 election as Nigerians yearned for democratic government after decades of military rule.
Late billionaire, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), is widely believed to have won the June 12 election.
However, the winner of the election was not declared as Babangida annulled the election, citing issues of vote buying, and several other electoral irregularities, even as the election has been widely declared as the most fair and transparent election ever conducted in the country’s history, with record voter’s turn-out on that historic day.
Speaking on Arise TV, Babangida stated that he had to handle the situation carefully, adding that the result of the election would have cause instability in the country.
In his words, “If it materialized [If the election had gone through], there would have been a coup d’etat which could have been violent. That is all I can confirm.
“It didn’t happen, thank God for the Maradonic way we handled you guys in the society.”
He added that the election “could have given room for more instability in the country.”
Asked further if he was pressured by the military or civilians to annul the election, Babangida said: “Both.”
“Both, the Military, they can do it because they have the weapons to do it. The other is the social agitation.”
