Abacha’s Role In Protecting Babangida

The family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has strongly criticized former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), for allegedly misrepresenting historical facts and attempting to tarnish Abacha’s reputation.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mohammed Abacha, speaking on behalf of the family, condemned the claims made in Babangida’s recent book, A Journey in Service. The book alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was solely orchestrated by General Sani Abacha.

Clarification on June 12 Annulment

The Abacha family dismissed this assertion as misleading and historically inaccurate, stating that the responsibility for the controversial annulment rested entirely on General Babangida, who was the Head of State at the time. According to the statement, Abacha, although a senior military officer, did not hold the position of Commander-in-Chief and therefore had no executive authority to make such a decision.

“Any attempt to shift this blame onto General Sani Abacha is a deliberate distortion of historical facts. Over the years, there have been continuous efforts to manipulate Nigeria’s history, particularly regarding its democratic evolution,” the statement emphasized.

Warning Against Revisionist Narratives

The family further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against revisionist accounts designed to manipulate public perception for political gain. “The memory of our late father and leader, General Sani Abacha, must not be sullied by baseless accusations intended to absolve those who were truly responsible,” the statement read.

Abacha’s Role in Protecting Babangida

In an unexpected revelation, the Abacha family also highlighted how General Sani Abacha played a crucial role in safeguarding Babangida’s life during a critical moment of political instability. “At a time when General Babangida’s safety was in jeopardy, it was General Abacha who intervened to ensure his protection,” they stated.

The family expressed disappointment in Babangida’s book, arguing that it failed to present an accurate and objective historical account. “Rather than upholding honesty, sincerity, and integrity, A Journey in Service regrettably missed an opportunity to document history truthfully,” the statement concluded.