Abuja: Former military president, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, on Thursday accepted full responsibility for the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, describing it as a most regrettable incident in the country’s history. Babangida made these remarks during the presentation of his autobiography entitled ‘A Journey in Service’ and the inauguration of his presidential library in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Babangida addressed the persistent question of when he would share his side of the story. He acknowledged that his period in service had sparked numerous questions and stories among the public. In his book, Babangida attempts to answer some of these questions by chronicling his experiences, decisions, and challenges he faced during his tenure.
Babangida highlighted the reforms and challenges his government encountered, especially in areas such as the economy, foreign affairs, defense, and national security. Despite the sacrifices and inconveniences endured by Nigerians during his administration, Babangida emphasized his commitment to leaving the country in a better state than it was.
He acknowledged the significance of the June 12 election, which was widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest at the time. Babangida expressed regret that his administration, despite designing the electoral system that produced such a credible process, ultimately failed to complete it. He described the annulment as an “accident of history” and accepted full responsibility for all decisions taken under his watch.
Babangida admitted that his administration’s actions disrupted the nation’s transition to civilian rule, but he emphasized that the country eventually overcame the setback. He concluded by expressing deep regret for interrupting the country’s march to democracy.