The family of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha yesterday absolved their patriarch of any blame in the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Bashorun Moshood Kasimawo Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
It said the blame squarely rests on Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida “who, as the then Head of State, held ‘’absolute Executive powers and was solely responsible for the actions of his government.”
The family, in a statement by Abacha’s first son, Mohammed, described Babangida’s account of the annulment as “a deliberate distortion of historical facts.”
Gen. Babangida in a 440-page memoir, “A Journey in Service,” unveiled last month had alleged that Gen. Abacha and his “force” in the military were responsible for the cancellation of the globally acclaimed freest and fairest presidential poll in Nigeria.
The Abacha family urged Nigerians ‘’to be wary of revisionist narratives,’’ saying that their patriarch’s name ‘’must not be tarnished by baseless accusations meant to absolve those who were truly responsible’’ for the annulment of the election.
To show how deeply hurt they felt about the issue. the family recalled how close the two former military rulers were. It said that Gen, Abacha once rescued Babangida when his life was under threat.
The family stated that despite attempts by some people ‘’to rewrite the history of that critical period in Nigeria’s democratic evolution,’’ it welcomes ‘’the outpouring of support from those who refuse to allow history to be distorted.’’
Accusing Babangida of failing to give ‘an ’objective account of past events’’ in the memoir, the Abachas referred to a public commentator who said that ‘’honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues’’ uncommon with the former military President.
The statement reads:” Our attention has been drawn to recent claims made by former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in his newly launched book, “A Journey in Service”, where he alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was the responsibility of the late Gen. Sani Abacha. ‘These claims have sparked widespread controversy and necessitate a clear response from the immediate family of Gen.Sani Abacha and the entire Abacha clan in the interest of historical accuracy and justice.
“It is important to state unequivocally that Gen. Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief at the time the June 12 election was annulled. The decision to annul the election was made under the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute executive powers and was solely responsible for the actions of his government. Any attempt to shift this blame onto Gen. Sani Abacha, who was a very senior military officer within the regime, is a deliberate distortion of historical facts.
“For years, various actors have attempted to rewrite the history of that critical period in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. However, the facts remain unchanged.
‘’We urge Nigerians to be wary of revisionist narratives that seek to manipulate public perception for personal or political reasons.
‘’The memory of our late father and leader, Gen. Sani Abacha, must not be tarnished by baseless accusations meant to absolve those who were truly responsible.
“Furthermore, we wish to emphasise that despite this unfortunate attempt to shift blame, Gen.Sani Abacha remained a true and loyal friend to Gen. Ibrahim Babangida up to the time of his death. He was a man of unwavering commitment to his comrades.
‘’We also find it necessary to state that at the time Gen. Babangida’s life was under threat, it was Gen.Abacha who came to his rescue, ensuring his safety.
“We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to the many Nigerians who have risen in defence of Gen. Sani Abacha in an effort to set the record straight.
‘’Your unwavering commitment to truth and historical accuracy is deeply appreciated, and we acknowledge the outpouring of support from those who refuse to allow history to be distorted.
“As we reflect on Nigeria’s history, we acknowledge Gen. Sani Abacha’s time in leadership and the role he played in the nation’s development. His contributions, like those of past leaders, remain part of our country’s history. We believe that history is best judged with fairness and objectivity.
“We regret that ‘A Journey in Service’ missed the opportunity and failed to make history as a truthful and objective account of past events. As one public commentator aptly put it, honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author.”