By annulling the June 12 1993 presidential election, Ibrahim Babangida, and Sani Abachamade Nigeria regress many steps backwards, and the governance of Nigeria became like rotten flesh, unable to fulfill its anticipated yearnings for development.
It is alright for Babangida to now write a book of remembrance, chronicling his deeds and misdeeds, his actions and his inactions, his reactions and interactions, 32 years after the fateful annulment of the free and fair 1993 presidential election.
It is alright today for Babangida to now shed “crocodile tears” and voice his “regrets,” and to finally and formally tender his “apologies,” to this nation for this annulment. But has Babangida’s apology not come“ too little, too late,” as it does not in any measure compensate for the damage done?
Abacha is a person whom numerous persons would wish to forget. Yes many lessons must be learnt from the example of Abacha, whose death sparked nationwide exaltation and rejoicing. One must learn from the lessons of history, that we must caution all people not to steamroll themselves into unmerited leadership.
How many are the persons who celebrate the yearly anniversary of Abacha’s death, or who publish in national newspapers messages of goodwill for him and his passage? Hardly any one does this except for his loyal wife, Maryam. Abacha has judged himself. His deeds are recorded like as with a mirror, or a camera. His deeds are nothing “to write home about.”He is someone the world would wish to forget. Does this not make everybody think?
Numerous are the activists that Abacha clamped into jail. Such include the journalist Chris Anyanwu, and the activist lawyer Gani Fawehinmi, and Shehu Yar’Adua. Numerous were those who had to flee the country because of the oppression of Abacha’s iron fist. Such persons traumatised by Abacha and had to flee from this country include Professor Wole Soyinka, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu etc. Abacha’s victims include Mrs. Kudirat Abiola (who was brutally assassinated by his “hit squad”). Ken Saro Wiwa and six other Ogoni citizens who were hanged under suspicious circumstances, perhaps for their protests at the desecrations of their waterways by oil—spills. Labour leader Frank Kokori, was jailed for successfully organising a nationwide labour strike to protest the annulment of the ground breaking election. Additionally, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo was not spared, and had to endure three tortuous years in jail for a charge he knew nothing about.
Abacha was a presidential misfit because he entered into the exalted office of governance by subterfuge, guile and deceit. It was for these reasons that so many persons in Nigeria openly and brazenly rejoiced at his death, because he had nothing to offer the nation, apart from misery, sorrow, toil and tears. According to reports Abacha stole so much money from the coffers of this country and its treasury, that up till the present day Nigerian leaders are feverishly and frenetically striving to recover these stolen funds. And this stolen money was to the tune of millions of dollars!
Finally about Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida; what can be said about him? A write up on Babangida would require an entire book! Let that be left to historians! So let us give him space. After all he has apologized! This writer will merely say “let him be,” until a later date, and a different time.
•Seye Aluko,
