By NIGPOST
The long-anticipated autobiography of former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), A Journey in Service, has ignited fresh debates, reviving decades-old controversies about his leadership, particularly the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
A Star-Studded Book Launch
On February 20, 2025, the Transcorp Hilton Congress Hall in Abuja hosted an event attended by Nigeria’s political heavyweights.
Former leaders like General Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abdulsalami Abubakar graced the occasion, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While Muhammadu Buhari was absent, he was represented by a former minister. The event signified the importance of IBB’s legacy in Nigeria’s political history.
Unraveling the June 12 Controversy
One of the most striking revelations in IBB’s memoir was his admission of full responsibility for the annulment of the June 12 election.
However, he also shifted some of the blame, naming the late General Sani Abacha as a key figure in the decision.
While this claim was not entirely new—Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), had previously highlighted similar points—it reignited debates, especially among Abacha’s family and loyalists.
The June 12 annulment remains a deeply divisive issue in Nigeria, marked by violence, loss of lives, and political instability.
Many expected IBB’s book to provide deeper insights, but it largely reiterated past narratives.
A Legacy of Controversy
IBB’s eight-year rule was far from smooth. From human rights violations to the assassination of journalist Dele Giwa and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) controversy, his administration was marred by several contentious decisions.
Critics argue that if his memoir failed to fully address these issues, it missed an opportunity for historical closure.
Adding to the tension, pro-Biafran activists now see the memoir as a reason to revive old grievances. Some are even considering legal action, renewing the call for reparations that were previously raised during the Oputa Panel hearings.
IBB’s Reflection and Public Perception
Having had personal interactions with IBB, the author of this piece reflects on discussions that were not included in the book.
Rather than reshaping his legacy, the memoir appears to have reinforced the very criticisms that have shadowed his name for over three decades.
IBB, often called Nigeria’s “military president,” built his rule on dialogue and consultation. Yet, his greatest paradox remains: he conducted the freest election in Nigeria’s history but failed to uphold its outcome.
If he had hoped his memoir would change public perception, it may have done the opposite—resurrecting the very ghosts he sought to lay to rest.
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