There could have been a violent coup if June 12, 1993 presidential election, believed to have been won by businessman, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, MKO, was not annulled.
Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd), made this declaration on Friday in a special interview on Arise TV on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Babangida’s government organised the annulled June 12 election which has been considered to be the freest in the annals of Nigeria.
“Do you want me to be honest with you? If it materialised (if the election had gone through], there would have been a coup d’etat which could have been violent. That is all I can confirm.
“It didn’t happen, thank God for the Maradonic way we handled you guys in the society,” Babangida said in answer to a question on the real reason he annulled the election.
He said the pressure to annul the election was from both the military and civilians.
It would be recalled that the annulment of the election led to mass protests and loss of lives.
Babangida also spoke about corruption, pointing out that it was more prevalent under civilian administration than it was under the military.
His words: “Well on that, you can’t compare it with the facts on the ground now. You can say it. From what I read, from analysis, I think we are saints when compared to what is happening under a democratic dispensation.
“I sacked a governor for misappropriating less than N313,000.
“Today, those who have stolen billions and are in court are now parading themselves on the streets. Who else is better in fighting corruption?”
