Why Struggle for Abiola’s Mandate Restoration Validated by IBB’s Confession – June 12 Movement
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….Calls for Establishment of National Reconciliation and Healing Commission
In light of revelations in the new memoir by former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), titled “A Journey in Service,” the June 12 Democracy Movement of Nigeria has asserted that their prolonged struggle for the revalidation of the June 12 electoral mandate of late Chief MKO Abiola was further validated.
IBB’s memoir, launched on Thursday, attempts to shift the blame for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections onto General Sani Abacha. Babangida claims that Abacha, who he described as his “biggest headache,” masterminded the annulment without his authority. “To suddenly have an announcement made without my authority was, to put it mildly, alarming,” Babangida stated in his book. He further admitted, “I would later find out that the ‘forces’ led by General Sani Abacha annulled the elections.”
Despite Babangida’s claims of being outmaneuvered by Abacha, the June 12 Democracy Movement, in a statement signed by its National Convener, Olawale Okunniyi, argued that Babangida’s leadership as the commander in chief held him accountable.
The movement cited Babangida’s national broadcast on June 24, 1993, where he formally announced the annulment, underscoring his complicity in the political crisis that ensued.
The movement acknowledged Abacha’s antagonism toward civil democratic rule, driven by his ambition to rule Nigeria post-Babangida. They, however, criticized Babangida for his failure to check Abacha’s ambitions, attributing it to a significant leadership failure.
In response to Babangida’s revelations, the June 12 Democracy Movement calls for the establishment of a National Commission and process for National Reconciliation and Healing.
Drawing inspiration from the Oputa panel, they propose a major national conference involving all Nigerian stakeholders to address past injustices, agree on compensations, and foster a new sense of national unity.
The movement emphasized the need for immediate compensations to members of the MKO Abiola family and families of those killed, maimed, or incarcerated during the June 12 democratic struggles.
They also intend to organize a stakeholders’ roundtable to chart the way forward for Nigeria, with recommendations to be shared with relevant authorities and stakeholders.
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