Some Nigerians have demanded that General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) be prosecuted for the injustices they endured under his rule.
In interviews, some victims’ relatives and survivors described their experiences during Babangida’s rule and demanded that he be given a fair trial.
In his autobiography, ‘A Journey of Service’, launched on February 20, 2025, the former military ruler gave a personal account of his regime, which began on August 27, 1985, and lasted till August 26, 1993.
Nigerians rebelled against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election that the late Moshood Abiola had won, despite the fact that his regime was notorious for its harsh assault on the opposition.
In a series of riots that broke out after the controversial decision, no fewer than 100 Nigerians were reportedly killed by security agents.
Although Babangida has not been directly linked to the death by parcel bomb of investigative journalist, Dele Giwa, on October 19, 1986, the victim was said to have been assassinated by the state.
The regime also shut down many media houses, including Newswatch Magazine, The Guardian, and PUNCH Newspapers. These papers were outspoken in their criticism of the corruption, human rights violations and mismanagement of funds by Babangida.
He also sanctioned some executions, including the killing of his childhood friend, General Mamman Vatsa.
Many pro-democracy and human rights activists, journalists and lawyers, including Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Alao-Aka-Bashorun, Femi Falana, SAN, Femi Aborisade, Debo Adeniran, Kunle Ajibade, were also incarcerated for protesting the June 12 annulment.
Some of the survivors said the ex-general did not deserve the funfair that heralded the launch of his book.
The President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Adeniran, said Babangida should be punished for his crimes.
He stated that IBB’s confession did not exonerate him from the crimes.
“I was detained during the early days of the June 12 protests alongside Chima Ubani, Ebun Adegoruwa, and other comrades by Babangida. We were protesting in Ikeja when they arrested us and took us to Area F. We were remanded in prison by the Magistrate’s Court, Flower Garden, in Ebute Meta, Lagos.
“The June 12 annulment was like a coup d’état. He rebelled against the state and committed crimes against humanity. A lot of people were killed, imprisoned, and sent into exile. People also died mysteriously, such as Dele Giwa, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, and many others, as a result of the fallout of the annulment.
“Babangida has a lot to say, which he has not said. He caused a lot of disharmony among the people. He should be prosecuted,” he stated.
Commenting on the ex-general’s book, Aborisade said Babangida should be in prison for the rest of his life.
The pro-democracy activist, who spoke to Journalists, said the former head of state was not sincere in his regrets, adding that he damaged the country.
He said, “IBB is a tyrannical villain who should be tried for annulling the democratic electoral choice of the Nigerian people in the June 12 presidential election. IBB sheds crocodile tears. He is insincere in his so-called regrets. He has done incalculable damage to societal development.”
Aborisade maintained that the June 12 annulment was a disservice to Nigerians, as it had caused untold deaths and bloodshed,
“Nigerians should reject IBB and all the evil that his regime represents. The annulment of the June 12 presidential election remains a monumental disservice to Nigerian society. The struggle against the annulment has caused untold bloodshed, deaths, maiming, killings, and brutalisation.
“It is unfortunate that people like IBB, who ought to be socially ostracised for the monumental setback their regimes represent for society, are being celebrated by a segment of the media. He deserves to be put on trial. He deserves to be in prison for the rest of his life.”
