Abuja – The family of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has firmly refuted claims made by his predecessor, General Ibrahim Babangida, regarding the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election. According to a statement released by Mohammed Abacha, Babangida’s newly published memoir, A Journey in Service, presents a distorted version of events, falsely attributing responsibility for the annulment to the late General Sani Abacha.
Abacha’s Family Counters Babangida’s Narrative
Mohammed Abacha, in an official statement on Sunday, criticized the memoir for failing to provide an honest and factual historical account. He emphasized that Babangida, as the ruling Head of State at the time, wielded complete executive control and, therefore, should be held solely accountable for the controversial annulment of the election, which was won by Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“It is important to clarify that General Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief when the June 12 election was annulled. The decision was made solely under General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration. Any attempt to shift the blame to General Abacha is a deliberate manipulation of historical facts,” the statement read.
Calls to Resist Historical Distortion
The Abacha family further urged Nigerians to reject revisionist accounts aimed at altering the true narrative of the nation’s democratic history. They insisted that General Abacha’s legacy should not be tainted by baseless accusations designed to absolve those truly responsible for the annulment.
“For years, various individuals have attempted to rewrite the history of this crucial period in Nigeria’s democracy. However, the facts remain unaltered. We call on Nigerians to remain vigilant against misleading narratives crafted for personal or political reasons,” the statement added.
Abacha’s Loyalty and Relationship with Babangida
Despite the recent allegations, the Abacha family highlighted the strong camaraderie between their late patriarch and General Babangida. They reminded the public that General Abacha had always been a loyal ally to Babangida and had even played a pivotal role in ensuring Babangida’s safety during periods of political instability.
“We find it necessary to state that at a critical moment when General Babangida’s life was at risk, it was General Abacha who stepped in to safeguard him. This underscores the unwavering commitment and loyalty he had for his comrades,” the family stated.
Defending General Abacha’s Legacy
The family expressed appreciation for the many Nigerians who have stood firm in defending the late leader’s reputation. They emphasized that history should be judged with fairness and objectivity and not manipulated for political convenience.
“As we reflect on Nigeria’s past, we recognize General Sani Abacha’s leadership and his role in shaping the nation’s development. Like other past leaders, his contributions remain an integral part of Nigeria’s history. We urge everyone to uphold truth and ensure that history is not distorted,” the statement concluded.
Read more about Nigeria’s democratic history
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