Former military president Ibrahim Babangida has stated that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was done in the “national interest.”
Babangida, commonly referred to as IBB, was the head of state during the election, which is widely regarded as having been won by Moshood Abiola.
However, the election was annulled before a winner could be officially declared.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, Babangida explained that his decision at the time was aimed at safeguarding the country’s interest.
“As the leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken by me. And June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes, oversights, and missteps happen in quick succession but I say in my book, in all occasions, we acted in extreme national interest,” the former military president told the gathering.