Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has revealed that he offered Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola the opportunity to lead an interim government following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. However, Abiola turned down the offer, allegedly misled by promises made by General Sani Abacha.
In his newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service, Babangida admitted that the annulment of the election, which is widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, remains a major regret of his leadership. He disclosed that after intense pressure and national outcry, he sought to make amends by persuading Abiola to take charge of a transitional government.
According to Babangida, he reached out to traditional rulers to mediate the proposal, believing it would serve as a compromise to ease the tension caused by the annulment. However, he claimed that Abiola was convinced by certain political actors—especially Abacha—that he could reclaim his mandate without settling for an interim arrangement.
The former head of state further disclosed that he was forced to step down due to the crisis that followed the annulment. His administration then handed over to an interim government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan, which was short-lived as Abacha forcefully took over power in November 1993.
Babangida’s revelations have reignited discussions on the events surrounding the annulment and Abiola’s eventual arrest, imprisonment, and tragic death in detention in 1998. Many Nigerians still consider the annulment one of the biggest setbacks in the country’s democratic journey, a decision that plunged the nation into political instability for years.