Prominent pro-democracy crusaders and rights activists were enraged on Friday by justification of the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulment by former military President Ibrahim Babangida.
Afenifere and NADECO chieftains chided the former military leader for a shortfall in memory and historical perception, saying that he tried to murder the truth.
Babangida, who is warming up for his 80th birthday, justified the cancellation of the poll believed to have been won by the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, on a live Arise Television Programme.
But, Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the former military leader never wanted to vacate office, adding that he had a predetermined agenda.
He lamented that posturing was typical of ambitious military rulers from the North who loathed democratic transition and succession.
Adebanjo said the annulment contributed to disunity and suspicion that an ethnic group was bent on dominating other groups.
He maintained that the military drivers of the transition programme have gone into history as enemies of the people.
Adebanjo said:”Babangida never wanted to go. He was changing the goal post during the game. These people from the North only believe in a Nigeria where they will continue to dominate other ethnic groups.
“They only want unity according to their terms. They want to dictate the conditions for unity. We should sit down and agree. Otherwise, the deceit will continue.”
An Afenifere chieftain, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye, lamented that the historic poll results were cancelled after Nigeria held a free and fair exercise.
He said the annulment was annoying because Nigerians were full of expectation about a new dawn in the post-military era.
Durojaye, who was detained by the military over the pro-democracy struggle, said if Babangida had any information about an imminent coup, there was no evidence that he shared it with his colleagues in the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) and other critical stakeholders.
Noting that many have not overcome the shock of the annulment, he said: “History will take care of the actors.
NADECO chieftain and Third Republic House of Representatives Chief Whip Olawale Oshun berated Babangida for what he described as deliberate falsehood, adding that nobody will believe in unfounded rationalisation and deceit
Oshun, who is the leader of Afenifere Renewal Group(ARG), said Babangida has God to contend with because his action led to the death of many young people along Ikorodu Road, Lagos when Abacha’s men opened fire during protest.
He said IBB’s account contradicted those of his colleagues in the AFRC, who were also taken aback by the annulment of the popular will.
Oshun said Babangida never wanted to vacate office, adding that in that plot to perpetuate the military, Gen. Sani Abacha was smarter.
He also lamented that the former military President polarised the polity in a bid to remain in power.
Oshun said: “He did not want to go. I was in the House of Representatives at that time. I knew the efforts he made to compromise the House to remain in office. The House was polarised.
“Of course, there were some ambitious men around him; people like Mark, who were not pleased with an Abiola presidency. But, officers like Col. Umar stood their ground on the election.”
While maintaining that IBB lied on Arise Television programme, he added: “He should tell that to the marines. Nigerians voted. He should have allowed it to stand. Abiola won in the barracks. He said soldiers wanted to stage a coup. Are the soldiers more than millions of Nigerians who voted? IBB ruined our country. ”
A journalist, Rotimi Durojaye, said:”Because of his age and health, Nigerians should forgive Babangida. He brought us to where we are. He should ask for forgiveness from Nigerians. I don’t know whether he is now senile. Was Nigeria the first country to conduct election by the military?” (The Nation)
