IBB,
The family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has strongly criticized former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, over claims made in his recently released book, A Journey in Service.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Mohammed Abacha, the family denounced Babangida’s assertion that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was the responsibility of General Abacha.
They described the claim as false and an attempt to rewrite history, insisting that the blame for the annulment rests solely on Babangida’s administration.
The statement emphasized that Abacha, though a senior military officer at the time, was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief when the election was nullified.
“General Babangida, as the then Head of State, wielded absolute executive power and was fully responsible for the decisions of his government. Any attempt to shift this burden onto General Abacha is a deliberate distortion of historical facts,” the family stated.
The Abacha family further urged Nigerians to reject what they termed as “revisionist narratives” aimed at manipulating public perception for political reasons.
“The legacy of our late father must not be tainted by baseless accusations designed to absolve those truly responsible,” they warned.
Additionally, the statement referenced a past incident where Abacha allegedly played a crucial role in securing Babangida’s safety when the former president’s life was under threat.
“It was General Abacha who came to his rescue, ensuring his security at a critical moment,” the family claimed.
Expressing disappointment with Babangida’s book, the Abacha family lamented that A Journey in Service failed to provide an honest and objective account of past events.
They concluded with a pointed remark, citing a public commentator who noted that “honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author.”
