Ayo Opadokun, a member of the National Democratic Coalition, has branded former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s recent admission of illegally annulling the June 12, 1993 election as arrogant, questionable, and lacking regret.
On Wednesday, Opadokun responded to Babangida’s 420-page autobiography, Journey in Service, by claiming that the former military dictator revealed nothing new but rather rehashed publicly known facts under the garb of statesmanship.
According to Opadokun, MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993 election, as results were openly presented from polling stations to state collation centers.
He referenced Babangida’s former political strategist, Prof. Omo Omoruyi, who stated in his book that Abiola was the genuine 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, obscurantism, and escapism. He has not revealed anything new in all that he has said,” Opadokun said.
“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, obscurantism, and escapism. He has not revealed anything new in all that he has said,” Opadokun said.
Opadokun 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 claimed that Babangida should be held liable for the traitorous act that resulted in the deaths of several people 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 sadness 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 also stated that Babangida’s admission had no relevance, emphasizing that Nigeria’s growth and development had been severely hindered as a result of extended military dictatorship.
When questioned whether Babangida’s early admission could have resulted in forgiveness, Opadokun dismissed the idea.
“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.
