A chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition, Ayo Opadokun, has described former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s recent admission of wrongfully annulling the June 12, 1993 election as pretentious, dubious, and lacking remorse.
Reacting to Babangida’s 420-page autobiography, Journey in Service, on Wednesday, Opadokun asserted that the former military dictator did not disclose anything new but merely rehashed widely known facts under the guise of statesmanship.
According to Opadokun, it was already well known that MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993 election, as results were publicly displayed from polling units to state collation centres.
He cited Babangida’s former political adviser, Prof. Omo Omoruyi, who, in his book, confirmed that Abiola was the rightful winner.
“The so-called admission is not only pretentious, it is very dubious and without remorse. General IBB, in his 420-page book, engaged principally in revisionism, obscurism, and escapism. He has not revealed anything new in all that he has said,” Opadokun aid.
The NADECO chieftain expressed disappointment that Babangida showed no remorse, accusing him of “dancing on the graves of innocent martyrs killed due to the June 12 saga.”
“He is just, unfortunately, dancing on the graves of innocent martyrs who were killed simply so that he, a military dictator, could remain in public office and continue to appropriate public funds for himself, his family, and his collaborators.
“What does his so-called admission do for us? Abiola, the rightful winner, was killed by the state; his wife was also killed. Many young Nigerians were shot on sight on the orders of General Sani Abacha. In Ikorodu, security forces overpowered us when we attempted to bury three young victims. They ordered us to tell the families to collect their remains without any ceremony. They even slapped mourners to stop them from crying,” Opadokun recounted.
Opadokun argued that Babangida should be held accountable for the treasonous act that led to the loss of numerous lives following the June 12 annulment.
“I recently re-watched a video interview with Professor Humphrey Nwosu, Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, where he confirmed that collation was completed and that Abiola won, even defeating Bashir Tofa in Kano State. So, there is nothing new in what IBB has said,” Opadokun said.
He expressed sorrow that Babangida remained unrepentant for his “treasonable conduct,” stating that he would go to his grave “in error.”
“So many lives have been wasted by him, so much blood is on his hands, yet he still pretends to be a statesman,” Opadokun lamented.
He further noted that Babangida’s admission held no significance, stressing that Nigeria’s growth and development had been severely stunted due to prolonged military rule.
When asked whether Babangida’s early admission could have led to forgiveness, Opadokun dismissed the notion.
“It would still amount to nothing. The egregious pain inflicted upon this country has reduced us to nothing. The military’s forceful takeover of power on January 15, 1966, arrested our national growth and development. They have stunted all the progress Nigeria had made,” Opadokun said.
