History

Babangida Reveals Why He Annulled June 12 Election, Fearing Civil War

Published

9 months ago

February 21, 2025

admin

Babangida Reveals Why He Annulled June 12 Election, Fearing Civil War

Babangida reveals why he annulled June 12 election, fearing civil war. The annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election remains one of Nigeria’s most controversial political events, and former military president General Ibrahim Babangida has now shed new light on his reasons for the decision.

Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, in Abuja, Babangida revealed that he feared Chief MKO Abiola’s assassination could plunge Nigeria into another civil war.

The high-profile event, held at Transcorp Hilton, saw dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Heads of State Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, and several state governors. Industrialists like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso were also in attendance.

Why I Annulled June 12 – Babangida

Babangida admitted that Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won the election against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). However, he claimed that powerful forces, particularly led by late General Sani Abacha, opposed Abiola’s presidency and could have had him eliminated.

“Unfortunately, the forces gathered against him after the election were so formidable that I was convinced that if he became President, he would be quickly eliminated by the same people who pretended to be his friends,” Babangida wrote in his book. “I was petrified that if Abiola was killed, it could lead to a civil war.”

Babangida described the annulment as a regrettable moment in Nigeria’s history, admitting that the military underestimated the resistance to returning to civilian rule.

Coup Threats and Military Politics

He revealed that opposition within the military made it difficult to sustain the transition to democracy, as many officers were reluctant to give up their positions.

“The military was factionalised between those who wanted to hand over to a civilian government and those who were determined to retain control,” he said.

According to Babangida, the annulment of the election nearly cost him his life. While in Katsina on June 23, 1993, to condole with the Yar’Adua family, he was shocked to hear that the election had been nullified without his direct authorization. “I was alarmed and horrified. I knew I had been outflanked by powerful elements within my government,” he disclosed.

He admitted that he attempted to offer Abiola an interim position as a compromise, but the business mogul rejected it. He also accused Abiola of trusting deceitful ‘friends’ who later worked against him.

Reactions and IBB Presidential Library Launch

President Tinubu, speaking at the event, acknowledged Babangida’s influence in shaping his political career, stating, “Without you, people like me wouldn’t be in politics.” Former President Goodluck Jonathan described Babangida as a charismatic leader who drove infrastructural development in Nigeria.

The event also witnessed the launch of the IBB Presidential Library, which received massive financial support from business moguls. Notable donations included N8 billion from Aliko Dangote, N5 billion from Abdulsamad Rabiu, and N3 billion from General Theophilus Danjuma.

Final Thoughts

Babangida

Babangida concluded by acknowledging that his administration’s actions disrupted Nigeria’s democratic process, but emphasized that the country survived and democracy endured.

“Nigeria’s march to democracy was interrupted, a fact that I deeply regret. But democracy is still alive today – a testament to our resilience.”

As Nigeria continues to reflect on the impact of June 12, Babangida’s revelations provide fresh insight into one of the nation’s most defining political moments.”

Economy

UNICEF Supports Establishment Of Family Court In Kebbi

Published

3 weeks ago

November 12, 2025

admin

UNICEF Supports Establishment Of Family Court In Kebbi

UNICEF supports establishment of family court in Kebbi. The United Nations Children’s Fund on Tuesday announced that it will support the establishment of a family court in Kebbi to expedite justice at the grassroots level.

The United Nations Children’s Fund on Tuesday announced that it will support the establishment of a family court in Kebbi to expedite justice at the grassroots level.

Michael Juma, UNICEF’s chief field officer in Sokoto, disclosed this at the End of the Year Review Meeting 2025 held in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

The meeting was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Kebbi Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The chief field officer assured that he had discussed with the Kebbi Commissioner for Justice the necessary steps to follow in establishing a court responsible for issues related to children.

“On the establishment of a family court, of course, yes, I have talked to the Commissioner of Justice on this, and I have said that it’s something the UNICEF will support. Because this is what the UNICEF is supporting globally, because it is a way to ensure quick justice at the rural levels,” he stated.

Speaking about the availability of adequate data on children, Mr Juma observed that correct information about the child population would enable the government and teachers to have accurate figures for planning, especially for adequate budgeting of their needs.

The chief field officer commended the Kebbi House of Assembly for passing the Child Protection Bill, stating that such a move would lead to the release of some children from detention. He added that it would also lessen the rigorous trials being faced by children and assist them in being reintegrated into the larger society.

Mr Juma lauded the state government for releasing the N500 million counterpart fund for nutrition, while declaring the readiness of UNICEF to continue collaborating with the state on poverty surveys, social protection, and nutrition interventions.

Commenting on the issue of out-of-school children and the cholera outbreak, the chief field officer stressed the urgent need for all stakeholders to collaborate towards eradicating the menace.

UNICEF

He advocated for a roadmap on the WASH programme to ensure that other local government areas join Arewa and Mayama LGAs in the fight against open defecation across the state.

The executive chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Kebbi, Suleiman Khalid, cautioned various organisations at the meeting to be careful when implementing policies that might conflict with the culture, religion, and traditions of the people.

He stated that the menace of the out-of-school children and Almajiris was mainly caused by social-cultural and religious factors.

Mr Khalid decried how children and youths were migrating from villages to the urban centres in the name of seeking Islamic knowledge or in search of livelihoods.

Economy

Obasanjo, Jonathan, Others Grace Reuben Abati’s Book Launch On 60th Birthday

Published

3 weeks ago

November 7, 2025

admin

Obasanjo, Jonathan, Others Grace Reuben Abati’s Book Launch On 60th Birthday

Obasanjo, Jonathan, others grace Reuben Abati’s book launch on 60th birthday. Reuben Abati, the ace journalist and ex-special adviser on media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has marked his 60th birthday with the launch of three books.

The book launch, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, brought together bigwigs across Nigeria’s political and traditional landscape.

The three books are ‘How a Goodluck Jonathan Became President’, ‘Portraits: People, Politics, and Society’, and ‘A Love Letter and Other Stories’.

Mathew Kukah, Catholic bishop of the Sokoto diocese, delivered the keynote speech at the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, former President Olisegun Obasanjo praised @abati1990 for upholding the virtues of life and standing for the truth.

Recalling his 30-year relationship with the TV host, Obasanjo expressed his delight “for finding a son in Abati”.

The former president urged the Abati to pursue success as the completion of his progress.

“I am happy that in my lifetime, I have found a son in Reuben Abati, who has matured, who has progressed, and is on the path of success,” Obasanjo said.

Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine; Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, Alake of Egbaland; Maiden Alex-Ibru, the publisher of Guardian Newspapers; Nduka Obaigbena, founding chairman and editor-in-chief of ThisDay Media Group and AriseTV; and Mohammed Bello Adoke, the former attorney-general of the federation, were present at the ceremony.

Reuben Abati

Other dignitaries include Alex Otti, governor of Abia state; Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos; Simon Kolawole, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Cable Media and Publishing Limited, and actress Shaffy Bello.

Louis Odion, the ace journalist, delivered the review of the three books, while Ayo Arowosegbe gave the publisher’s remarks.

Economy

Osimhen Set New Record Beats Haalan, Mbappe, Kane

Published

3 weeks ago

November 7, 2025

admin

Osimhen Set New Record Beats Haalan, Mbappe, Kane

Osimhen Set New Record Beats Haalan, Mbappe, Kane. VICTOR OSIMHEN BEATS ERLING HAALAND, KYLIAN MBAPPE AND HARRY KANE TO IT

With his 3 goals against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League, Victor Osimhen now has 3 Player Of The Match (POTM) awards in a row. No other player has achieved such this season in the champions league.

Victor Osimhen has more goals and better goals ratio per minute (6 in 225mins) this season in the champions league than Erling Haaland(5 in 343mins) , Kylian Mbappe(5 in 351mins) and Harry Kane(5 in 311mins).

Victor Osimhen is the first player to score a hat trick for Galatasaray since Burak Yılmaz against CFR Cluj in 2012.

Victor Osimhen is the leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season, one more than Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.

Osimhen Set New Record

Victor Osimhen is one of the three players to have scored a hat trick this season in the champions league. Others are Kylian Mbappe and Firmin Lopez.

Victor Osimhen is the second Nigerian to score a hat trick in the UEFA Champions league, behind Yakubu Aiyegbeni who scored for Maccabi Haifa in a 3–0 win over Olympiacos on September 24, 2002.

Victor Osimhen is unrivalled