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Babangida reveals Abacha’s role in June 12 election annulment

Published

12 months ago

February 21, 2025

Former military presidents, Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha

Babangida reveals Abacha’s role in June 12 election annulment

Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, has finally opened up about the controversial June 12, 1993, presidential election annulment by his regime.

The election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, was won by Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

However, its annulment plunged the nation into political turmoil, with many blaming Babangida for denying Nigerians their democratic choice.

In his newly released autobiography titled “A Journey in Service,” presented in Abuja on Thursday, Babangida revealed shocking details about the annulment.

According to TheCable, the former leader claimed he was in Katsina when news of the annulment broke—without his knowledge or approval.

Babangida alleged that the move was orchestrated by powerful forces within the military, led by then Chief of Defence Staff, Sani Abacha, who would later seize power and rule as military head of state.

Babangida, who had delivered a national broadcast on June 24, 1993, to formally announce the annulment, claimed that Abacha had grown too powerful within the factionalised military, making it nearly impossible to remove him after stepping down from office in August 1993.

Abacha’s grip on power tightened further when he ousted Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government in November 1993 and later detained Abiola for declaring himself president.

‘Abacha Led the Anti-June 12 Forces’
Babangida recalls giving the chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, a direct order to proceed with the elections despite mounting tensions.

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“Go ahead with the elections. Go to your office, hold a world press conference and tell everyone the elections will be held tomorrow as planned,” he said he directed the electoral commission boss.

Yet, just four days later, Nwosu abruptly stopped the announcement of results—an action Babangida insisted was carried out without his prior knowledge or approval.

“And then, on June 16, without my knowledge or prior approval, NEC Chairman, Professor Nwosu, announced the suspension of the June 12 election results ‘until further notice’.

“I knew instantly that certain fifth columnists were at work and that there was a need for extra care! And even after that suspension of the announcements of results, ABN obtained another ‘strange’ court order from Justice Saleh’s court in Abuja, stopping the release of the results of the elections,” he continued.

On June 23, 1993, Babangida left Abuja for Katsina to condole with the Yar’Adua family over the passing of their patriarch, Musa Yar’Adua, a former minister of Lagos affairs and father of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He added, “The funeral had taken place, and as I got ready to leave, a report filtered to me that the June 12 elections had been annulled.

“Even more bizarre was the extent of the annulment because it terminated all court proceedings regarding the June 12 elections, repealed all the decrees governing the Transition and even suspended NEC!

“Equally weird was the shabby way the statement was couched and made. Admiral (Augustus) Aikhomu’s press secretary, Nduka Irabor, had read out a terse, poorly worded statement from a scrap of paper, which bore neither the presidential seal nor the official letterhead of the government, annulling the June 12 presidential elections. I was alarmed and horrified.”

Babangida admitted that while annulment had been discussed as one of several options, it was never meant to be executed in the manner that unfolded.

“Yes, during the stalemate that followed the termination of the results announcement, the possibility of annulment that could lead to fresh elections was loosely broached in passing. But annulment was only a component of a series of other options.

“But to suddenly have an announcement made without my authority was, to put it mildly, alarming. I remember saying: ‘These nefarious ‘inside’ forces opposed to the elections have outflanked me!’ I would later find out that the ‘forces’ led by General Sani Abacha annulled the elections.

“There and then, I knew I was caught between ‘a devil and the deep blue sea’!! From then on, the June 12 elections took on a painful twist for which, as I will show later, I regrettably take responsibility.”

Babangida reveals Abacha’s role in June 12 election annulment

Related Topics:Abacha Babangida Election Featured June 12

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El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Published

12 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is scheduled to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, following what his legal team described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, disclosed this while reacting to Thursday’s incident involving security operatives. According to him, the former governor was approached shortly after arriving in Abuja aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo, where he had reportedly travelled for medical treatment and rest.

Akpan described the development as a “flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and deliberate disregard for the rule of law.” He explained that the EFCC invitation was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was already outside Nigeria, making immediate compliance “illogical and impractical.” According to the lawyer, it was unreasonable to expect instantaneous attendance from someone who was abroad at the time the invitation was issued.

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The legal team said it had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the Commission that El-Rufai would comply upon his return. He added that the EFCC was explicitly notified that the former governor would voluntarily appear at the Commission’s office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, specifying both the date and time. Resorting to an attempted arrest despite that commitment, he argued, amounted to arbitrary conduct and procedural abuse.

Akpan further alleged that El-Rufai’s passport was seized during the encounter and demanded its immediate return, along with a formal apology. He maintained that there was no lawful basis for the attempted arrest or what he termed mistreatment, stressing that El-Rufai had publicly affirmed his willingness to face any legitimate investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the airport incident or the exact nature of the allegations under investigation. However, sources indicate that the former governor’s invitation may be linked to ongoing investigations into alleged financial transactions and administrative decisions during his tenure in Kaduna State.

The development has generated significant political interest, given El-Rufai’s influence in national politics and his outspoken role in governance debates. His scheduled appearance before the anti-corruption agency on Monday is expected to shed more light on the allegations and determine the next steps in the matter.

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

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Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

Published

12 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the brutal killing of Superintendent of Police (SP) Bako Amgbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada East Division. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, February 12, 2026, marks a major milestone in a high-profile case that captured national attention nearly three years ago.

Justice Sika Aprioku, presiding over the case, found Robinson Sonabari, a native doctor; Bright Okparawo; Precious Amaeze, popularly known as “Selina”; and Loveday Jack, also called “Ragged Excess,” guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group, and robbery. The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and ordered that the four convicts be executed by hanging, the maximum penalty under Nigerian law.

Additionally, Samuel Nwadinma, the sixth defendant, was convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. One defendant was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while five others — previously found guilty of cult group membership — were freed after the court noted they had already served the statutory term while in custody.

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The case arose from the murder of SP Bako Amgbashim on September 8, 2023, during a police operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area. The officer was ambushed and killed by suspected cultists, and his body was reportedly mutilated, sparking widespread outrage and prompting intensified security operations in the area.

During the trial, it emerged that Robinson Sonabari played a key role, allegedly preparing the charm used to execute the attack on the late DPO. Prosecutors presented eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, and confessions, while the defense failed to disprove the charges, leading to the death sentences.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, lead prosecution counsel Chigozie Amadi of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice described the judgment as a triumph of justice. He was joined by Celestine Dickson, representing the Nigeria Police, who condemned the rising attacks on law enforcement officers and stressed that the ruling would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements targeting security personnel.

Akasco Amgbashim, elder brother of the slain officer, expressed relief at the verdict, thanking the judiciary, the state government, and the police for pursuing justice. He emphasized that the ruling should remind all that no one has the right to unlawfully take another person’s life.

The four condemned convicts were among 72 individuals originally arraigned before the court by a joint prosecution team from the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command. During the trial, 61 defendants, including traditional ruler Eze Kelvin Anugwo and former Ahoada East Council Chairman Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, leaving 13 to face final judgment.

Thursday’s verdict brings closure to a case that began with the tragic murder of SP Amgbashim, reinforced by joint security operations that later led to the killing of a suspected cult leader, David Okparanwo (“2Baba”), believed to have orchestrated the attack. The judgment is seen as a strong statement that violent crimes against law enforcement officers will not go unpunished.

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

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Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Published

12 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued eight of the ten people abducted during a wedding ceremony in Dabawa, Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, security sources confirmed on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The operation highlights the military’s ongoing efforts to combat banditry and kidnappings in northern Nigeria.

According to a credible Army Headquarters source, a group of gunmen dressed in military camouflage stormed the wedding on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and forcibly abducted several guests. The assailants reportedly fled toward neighboring Katsina State after the attack.

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Troops stationed at an ambush position along the Yankwada River line responded immediately after receiving a distress call, pursuing the kidnappers to Garu Village in Katsina. Contact with the fleeing gunmen was later lost along the Katsina–Gidan Mutum Daya road axis, but the operation led to the safe rescue of eight victims, who have now been reunited with their families.

Military authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining two victims still in captivity. Operations in the area continue to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of local communities.

The rescue operation forms part of a broader counter-kidnapping strategy by the Nigerian military in Kano and neighboring states, aimed at protecting civilians and deterring banditry. Analysts say the swift response demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating organized kidnapping networks in northern Nigeria.

Residents have expressed relief and gratitude to the troops, urging continued vigilance and enhanced security measures at public events to prevent similar incidents in the future.