A chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ayo Opadokun, has criticized former Head of State Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s recent admission of wrongfully annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election, calling it pretentious, dubious, and devoid of remorse.
In his newly released 420-page autobiography, Journey in Service, Babangida acknowledged the annulment of the election, which was widely believed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola.
However, Opadokun dismissed this so-called confession, accusing the former military ruler of engaging in revisionism and escapism without showing genuine regret.
Speaking on Wednesday, Opadokun argued that Babangida’s remarks did not reveal any new information but merely attempted to reframe well-known historical facts under the guise of statesmanship.
“The so-called admission is not only pretentious, but it is also deeply dubious and entirely lacking in remorse. In his 420-page book, General IBB engages primarily in revisionism, obscurism, and escapism. He has not disclosed anything new,” Opadokun stated.
Opadokun further accused Babangida of showing no remorse for the bloodshed that followed the annulment, insisting that he was “dancing on the graves of innocent martyrs” who died as a result of his actions.
“He is shamelessly dancing on the graves of innocent Nigerians who were killed simply so he, a military dictator, could cling to power and continue looting public funds for himself, his family, and his allies,” he said.
Recalling the tragic aftermath of the annulment, Opadokun highlighted the violent crackdown on pro-democracy activists, including the assassination of MKO Abiola’s wife, Kudirat Abiola, and the brutal suppression of protests by security forces.
“In Ikorodu, when we attempted to bury three young victims, security forces overpowered us. They ordered us to tell the families to retrieve their loved ones’ remains without any ceremony. They even slapped mourners to silence them,” he recounted.
The NADECO leader insisted that Babangida should be held accountable for treason, given the bloodshed and turmoil caused by his actions. He recalled watching an interview with Professor Humphrey Nwosu, Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), where Nwosu confirmed that the collation had been completed and that Abiola had won—even defeating Bashir Tofa in Kano State.
“There is nothing new in what Babangida has said. It was already public knowledge that Abiola won, as polling unit results were displayed up to the state collation centers. Even his former political adviser, Professor Omo Omoruyi, affirmed this in his own book,” Opadokun added.
He lamented that Nigeria’s progress had been derailed by prolonged military rule, stating that the military’s intervention on January 15, 1966, marked the beginning of the country’s decline.
“The military’s reckless interference has stunted Nigeria’s growth. Their forceful takeover in 1966 arrested our national development and reduced us to nothing,” he said.
Opadokun rejected the notion that Babangida’s admission could pave the way for forgiveness, insisting that the former dictator still bears the burden of innocent bloodshed.
“Too many lives were lost because of him. Too much blood is on his hands, yet he still pretends to be a statesman,” he lamented.
Concluding, Opadokun stated that Babangida’s legacy would forever be defined by his annulment of Nigeria’s freest and fairest election, and that his latest remarks were nothing more than a failed attempt to rewrite history.
