ABUJA — Sadiq Abacha, son of the late military head of state, Sani Abacha, has dismissed claims made by former military president Ibrahim Babangida regarding his father’s role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Babangida’s remarks are contained in his newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, unveiled in Abuja on Thursday. In the book, he addressed the controversial cancellation of the election, which was won by the late MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The former leader alleged that he was in Katsina when his press secretary announced the annulment without his knowledge or approval. He further claimed that forces opposed to the election were led by Abacha, who was then chief of defence staff and later took over as head of state.
Reacting to the allegations in a Facebook post on Saturday, Sadiq Abacha dismissed criticisms of his father, attributing them to envy.
“The man Abacha, you have always been the man they have envied with silent deceit. History shall remember you for being a better leader no matter how much they try to put you down,” he wrote. “As a son, I’m most proud of you today. You indeed are the man they wish they were half of.”
He also included a Hausa proverb, “Duk wanda yayi jifa a kasuwa…,” which translates to, “Whoever utters insults at a public market knows who they are intended for.”
The annulment of the June 12 election remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history, with ongoing debates over the roles played by key military figures of the time.
