The family of the former Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha has faulted the claims of a former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, in his book over the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
It is instructive to note that Babangida had in his recently unveiled memoir, ‘A Journey in Service’, blamed the annulment of the June 12 election on Abacha, his former Chief of Defence Staff (as he then was).
But in a statement made available on Sunday, one of the sons of the late General, Mohammed Abacha, accused Babangida of engaging in a “deliberate distortion of historical facts.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mohammed Abacha accused Babangida of attempting to rewrite history, urging Nigerians to be wary of “revisionist narratives” that shift responsibility away from those truly accountable.
The statement reads in part, “Our attention has been drawn to recent claims made by former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in his newly launched book, ‘A Journey in Service’, where he alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was the responsibility of the late General Sani Abacha.
“These claims have sparked widespread controversy and necessitate a clear response from the immediate family of General Sani Abacha and the entire Abacha clan in the interest of historical accuracy and justice.
“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.
“The decision to annul the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute executive powers and was solely responsible for the actions of his government.
“Any attempt to shift this blame onto General Sani Abacha, who was a very senior military officer within the regime, is a deliberate distortion of historical facts.”
Mohammed Abacha added that his late father remained loyal to Babangida throughout his lifetime, even protecting him when his life was under threat.
