Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Nigeria’s self-proclaimed “Evil Genius,” has finally admitted what many have always known—he was a coward at the most critical moment in Nigeria’s history. This was a man who was never afraid to fight, a man who played a role in the Civil War, a man who captured Colonel Dimka after the botched 1976 coup, a man who maneuvered his way to the top of Nigeria’s military leadership through strategic and ruthless power plays. Yet, when it mattered most, when the fate of Nigeria’s democracy rested in his hands, he surrendered without a fight.
The annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election remains the greatest political betrayal in Nigeria’s history. That election was not just another vote; it was the truest reflection of the will of the people, a rare moment when Nigerians from all walks of life, across religious and ethnic divides, came together to elect a leader—MKO Abiola. The results were clear. MKO had won. Nigerians waited anxiously as the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced the results, state by state. I was among those who had seen the full results even before the official announcement. We all knew the outcome, and we waited for the official conclusion. But then, darkness descended.
The military, led by General Sani Abacha, stormed IBB’s space, and in a shocking turn of events, Babangida capitulated. The man who once held power with an iron grip, the master of military intrigues, suddenly turned into a shadow of himself. He handed over the sacred mandate of the people to the brute force of Abacha and his men. His fear consumed him. A man who had survived coups, who had consolidated power ruthlessly, suddenly cowered before his own creation.
Babangida was supposed to leave office on August 27, 1993. He could not even wait for the day to break. He fled on August 26, knowing fully well that Abacha’s Lagos Boys were closing in, and his Abuja Boys were no match for them. He had spent years manipulating the military structure in his favor, yet in the face of Abacha’s raw, unchecked ambition, he had no answers. The so-called tactical genius of IBB was exposed for what it was—an illusion.
Then came the reign of terror under Abacha. What did IBB do? Absolutely nothing. He disappeared into silence, too afraid to speak, too scared to oppose. He knew the monster he had helped create was now fully in control, and he was terrified of suffering the same fate he had handed to others before him. He had watched as his former close ally, Mamman Vatsa, was executed under his own government. He knew what awaited those who crossed Abacha, so he went underground.
Even Sultan Dasuki, another of his close allies who was installed as the Sultan of Sokoto under IBB’s reign, could not hold back his words. He spoke against Abacha, and Abacha swiftly showed him the consequences. Dasuki was given a yellow card, a stern warning to back off. Realizing that a red card would mean total elimination, he retreated. Babangida, already in self-imposed silence, continued to watch from the shadows. The once-feared General had become a political relic, a man whose voice had lost all significance.
In the face of the same threats, MKO Abiola stood tall. Three times, Abacha offered him a way out. Three times, he refused. Abacha told him to forget the mandate and walk free. Abiola said no. In prison, Abacha sent envoys to convince him to abandon his claim. Again, Abiola refused. When Abacha died, and another opportunity came to regain his freedom in exchange for silence, Abiola stood his ground. He was prepared to die for democracy, and he did.
Abiola chose posterity over longevity. He chose to be remembered as the man who stood by the will of the people rather than the man who compromised for comfort. He became a martyr for democracy, an icon whose legacy will never fade. The same cannot be said for Babangida, who yesterday finally admitted to being a coward.
Forgiveness is one thing, but history is not rewritten with apologies. The truth remains: Babangida chose fear, and in doing so, he lost everything. He chose to save himself rather than his country. He placed survival above principle, and in the end, he will be remembered as the man who had the chance to be great but settled for mediocrity.
The echoes of June 12 will never fade. The choices made in those critical moments shaped Nigeria’s political trajectory forever. Abiola lives in the hearts of those who believe in democracy. Babangida, on the other hand, will always be the man who ran when he was needed the most.
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Image: Pixabay remixed
