JUNE 12: IBB exposes how civil society organizations, military plotted Abiola’s ordeal

Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has made fresh reveals on the circumstances that forced him to annul the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The late MKO Abiola won the contest before his arrest, detention, and death.

Many have come to believe the election was the freest and fairest Nigeria ever had.

The two party arrangement featured Social Democratic Party’s Abiola and  Nigerian Republican Convention’s Bashir Tofa.

Its result was however annulled.

Babangida, while speaking with Arise TV during an interview on Friday, said if he had not annulled the election, a violent coup d’etat would have happened.

He said there was pressure on his administration, within and outside the military, to nullify the election for the fear of the coup.

“If it materialised, there would’ve been a coup d’etat which could have been violent. That’s all I can confirm,” he said.

“The military can do it because they have the weapons to do it, and others (civil society groups) can use agitation.”

According to him, the coup didn’t happen because of the ‘maradonic’ way he handled the CSOs.

“But that could’ve given room for more instability in the country.”