Babangida Must Face Justice for June 12 Annulment, Says CDHR
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for the prosecution of former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd), over his admission of involvement in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. The CDHR describes the annulment as a coup d’état against the administration of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola and a crime against humanity.
In a strongly worded press statement, CDHR President, Debo Adeniran, condemned Babangida’s recent public confession regarding his role in the controversial annulment, calling it an attempt to mislead Nigerians into believing that he acted in their best interests. According to Adeniran, the actions of the former dictator led to widespread political instability, loss of lives, and economic hardship that plagued Nigeria for years.
“The worst injustice inflicted on the 14 million Nigerians who voted in that election was the inexplicable annulment on June 23, 1993, when the world expected the announcement of Chief MKO Abiola as the rightful winner,” Adeniran stated.
The June 12 election, widely regarded as the freest and most peaceful in Nigeria’s history, was ultimately nullified by the Babangida-led military government, plunging the country into political turmoil. The CDHR argues that the annulment was not only illegal and unconstitutional but also constituted a direct attack on democracy and the rights of Nigerian citizens to freely elect their leader.
CDHR insists that Babangida’s actions amounted to a coup d’état against a civilian administration that should have been led by Abiola. The group also decried the severe human rights violations that followed the annulment, including arbitrary arrests, political assassinations, and the suppression of press freedom.
In light of these concerns, the CDHR is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order Babangida’s immediate prosecution for crimes against humanity. The group also demands that all those who benefitted from the annulment—including members of the defunct Interim National Government led by the late Chief Ernest Shonekan—be stripped of national honors and any privileges they received from their participation in the illegitimate government.
“We remind President Tinubu that just as he once stated that Babangida lost the opportunity to be a hero by annulling the June 12 election, he should not miss the chance to be the hero of the June 12 struggle,” Adeniran emphasized. He urged the government to posthumously recognize MKO Abiola as a past president of Nigeria and grant full privileges to his family.
Additionally, the CDHR has urged the Nigerian judiciary, anti-corruption agencies, and international human rights organizations to ensure that justice is served. “The culture of impunity must end, and those responsible for Nigeria’s democratic setbacks must be held accountable,” Adeniran said.
The statement concluded with a strong call for justice: “Justice for June 12 is justice for democracy, and Nigeria must never allow such an egregious crime to go unpunished. The time for accountability is now.”