Former military Head Of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) claims that former military dictator, General Sani Abacha deceived “prominent Nigerians” to gain power.
Following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, a national protest ensued, which forced General Babangida to step aside and hand over power to Ernest Shonekan on August 27, 1993, as the head of an interim National Government but Weeks later, Abacha stagged a coup, returning Nigeria to military rule.
Babaginda said Abacha deceived Nigerians by pledging to return the Country to Civilian governance after deposing Shonekan in an interview with Daily Trust TV.
“Abacha’s government was very smart. They knew who were the most vociferous discussants about the election, about the coup, about June 12 and so on. They started talking to them and sold a dummy to them and encouraged them to get rid of the interim government; ‘when we get rid of the interim government, we will bring you back to come and take over your democracy so that a civilian government would be installed’.
“They sold that dummy to the public and to some prominent persons within the society, and when Abacha stepped in, there were drumming and sighs; ‘Good thing! Next thing is going to be a democratically-elected government’. I knew, we knew, that it wouldn’t be because the argument was: ‘Why should I risk my life only to come and hand over power to you?’ That was what happened.”
He also admitted that despite being close allies, Abacha’s military coup did not surprise him.
“I knew it will come as a surprise because even though I was outside – outside the service – I knew what was going on,” he explained.
Abacha had served as the Minister of Defence and the most senior military officer had come to power by ousting the Interim National Government formed by IBB and headed by Ernest Shonekan, by forcing the latter to resign.
