The family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has strongly refuted claims made by former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, regarding the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In his newly released memoir, A Journey in Service, Babangida alleged that Abacha was responsible for annulling the election, which was won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.
However, in a statement on Sunday, Abacha’s son, Mohammed Abacha, dismissed the claim, insisting that Babangida, as the then Head of State, wielded absolute power and should take full responsibility.
“It is important to state unequivocally that General Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief at the time the June 12 election was annulled,” Mohammed said.
General Ibrahim Babangida and Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
He accused Babangida of distorting history and attempting to shift blame, urging Nigerians to resist “revisionist narratives” aimed at manipulating public perception.
“We regret that A Journey in Service missed the opportunity and failed to make history as a truthful and objective account of past events. As one public commentator aptly put it, honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author,” he added.
The Abacha family emphasized that the late leader remained loyal to Babangida until his death and even protected him when his life was under threat.
They also expressed gratitude to Nigerians who have spoken up in defense of Abacha, calling for fairness and objectivity in judging historical events.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
