Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has defended former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. He argued that Babangida’s decision was necessary to prevent a major conflict in Nigeria.
In his newly released memoir, Babangida confirmed that Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola won the election and accepted full responsibility for its annulment. However, his revelations have sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians accusing him of waiting until key figures involved in the crisis had passed away before revealing his version of events.
In an article titled A Book That Stirred a Nation, Fani-Kayode defended Babangida’s actions, insisting that if he had resisted the annulment, Nigeria could have been plunged into a bloody military coup and a prolonged civil war. He further claimed that resisting the forces behind the annulment would have led to targeted assassinations, including Abiola, his family, and key pro-democracy activists.
