Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, has publicly expressed regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, acknowledging that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), won the election.
Speaking at the book launch and fundraising event for the IBB Presidential Library in Abuja, Babangida reiterated that the June 12 election was indeed free and fair. However, he lamented that the military administration, which had established an efficient electoral system, failed to conclude the process.
“It is an irony of history that the very administration which conducted what was arguably Nigeria’s most credible election could not see it through to completion. That remains a regrettable accident of history,” he stated
Babangida acknowledged the backlash that followed the annulment but emphasized that all decisions made during his tenure were in what he believed to be the best interest of national stability. “As the leader of the military government at the time, I take full responsibility for every decision made under my leadership. While missteps and miscalculations occurred, our actions were always guided by what we considered to be the supreme interest of Nigeria’s survival,” he noted.
He further admitted that the annulment disrupted the nation’s democratic progress, but maintained that Nigeria’s democracy had since endured. “The interruption of our democratic journey is a reality I deeply regret, but the survival of our democracy today proves the resilience and commitment of Nigerians,” he added
His statement has since sparked mixed reactions from political figures, pro-democracy groups, and prominent Nigerians, including the Afenifere socio-political group, the Coalition of Northern Groups, former Ogun State governor Segun Osoba, and senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
The June 12 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most transparent and credible electoral process, saw Abiola emerging victorious. However, Babangida annulled the results, citing national security concerns. The decision triggered widespread protests and political instability, eventually leading to his resignation and prolonging Nigeria’s transition to democracy until 1999.
Reflecting on his past statements, Babangida admitted he had previously cast doubts on Abiola’s victory. However, he now concedes that a thorough review of election results confirmed the business mogul’s win. “Although I had earlier stated that Abiola may not have won the election, a closer examination of the election data, particularly the official figures from 110,000 polling units across the country, showed that he met the constitutional requirements for victory,” Babangida wrote.
He cited the final vote tally, where Abiola secured 8,128,720 votes against Bashir Tofa’s 5,848,247, while also fulfilling the requirement of securing one-third of the votes in at least 28 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Despite this admission, Babangida suggested that Abiola’s presidency would have faced severe opposition from powerful political forces. “Sadly, the forces that aligned against him after the election were so formidable that I was convinced his presidency would be short-lived. Had he taken office, he would have been eliminated by the same people who posed as his allies,” he claimed.
While reviewing A Journey In Service, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo revealed that Babangida considered the events of June 12 the most difficult period of his life.
“The annulment of the June 12 election was the most challenging moment of my life. If I had the opportunity to relive that period, I would have made different decisions,” Osinbajo quoted from the book.
The autobiography also highlights Babangida’s appreciation for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who posthumously honored MKO Abiola with Nigeria’s highest national title, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), in recognition of his electoral victory.
Beyond the June 12 crisis, the book explores other pivotal moments in Nigeria’s history, including the 1976 coup that led to the assassination of then-Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, and the 1986 letter bomb attack that killed investigative journalist Dele Giwa.
On Dele Giwa’s murder, Babangida distanced himself from any involvement, stating his hope that the mystery would one day be resolved. “Like many unresolved assassinations, the truth about Dele Giwa’s death remains elusive. I have always believed that someday, whether in my lifetime or beyond, the full story will emerge. History has shown that even the most mysterious crimes can be solved long after they occur,” he wrote.
He recalled that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo reopened investigations into the case through the Oputa Panel, no new evidence surfaced to implicate any government official.
The launch of Babangida’s book brought together key figures from Nigeria’s political landscape, sparking discussions on his influence, the state of democracy in Nigeria, and the