Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has defended former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, arguing that it was necessary to prevent a major conflict in Nigeria.
Babangida recently launched his memoir, where he confirmed that Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola won the election and took responsibility for its annulment.
However, his revelation sparked criticism from Nigerians, who accused him of cowardice and waiting until key actors in the crisis had passed away before telling his side of the story.
In a piece titled A Book That Stirred a Nation, Fani-Kayode justified Babangida’s decision, stating that it was the best course of action for national peace and the safety of Nigerians, including Abiola himself.
“Had it not been that IBB sheathed his sword, held his peace, and conceded to the dark, sinister, and evil forces that coordinated, orchestrated, initiated, effected, and announced the annulment without his knowledge and behind his back, there would have been a very bloody military coup which would have in turn been violently resisted by the IBB faction and thereby result in a long and protracted civil war,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode further suggested that had Babangida resisted the forces pushing for annulment, a violent purge would have ensued, targeting key figures, including Abiola, his family, and leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
“If IBB had resolved to resist the ‘dark forces’ who wanted the election annulled, I have no doubt that Abiola, his wives, children, key supporters, many of the heroes who were later to become the leaders of NADECO, IBB himself, and his key loyalists would have been targeted for assassination,” he argued.
“More likely than not, few of the main players on both sides, including Abacha, Abiola, and Babangida themselves, would have survived the conflagration, and the country would have been at war with itself, brother killing brother, for an indefinite period,” he added.