Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has admitted that the June 12, 1993 presidential election was the most credible in the history of Nigeria.
Babangida who spoke in an interview with Zero Tolerance Magazine, a publication of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that June 12 is a day in the history of Nigeria as the day the most credible election was held.
He spoke on the poll annulment won by the late business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who later died in detention and military intrigues, stressing that “We gave you a lot of reasons but I understood the passion. At that time, everybody was fed up. The sentiment was: just pack your things and go. Our thought process is very limited.
“First of all, on June 23, 1993, I was on the air and I told Nigerians why we had to do what we did but I was sensible enough to know that whatever I said nobody was interested. So, the important thing is get out.”
He admitted that the annulment was supported by some Nigerians and pro-June 12 activists. “I hate to say it but when we annulled June 12, the same Nigerians supported the intervention of the military, true or false?
“True because you saw it, you are old enough. All those who fought for June 12 ended up serving the military government they didn’t like and that perpetuated a longer stay of the military in government.”
Asked why he used the phrase ‘step aside’ to leave power in 1993, Babangida said it was a military parlance.
“Everyone of you though that I was not keeping pace with the Nigerian dream. We have a tradition in the military. If you are marching in a column, when they say left, you should obey the command. If you right foot, somebody will shout at you because you are affecting the column, you should step aside so that the column will continue. That was what I did.”
Follow Us
