Former All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Benue South senatorial election, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) and his accomplices for their role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential poll.
In a strongly worded statement, Onjeh condemned IBB’s recently launched autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” describing it as a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and evade responsibility for one of Nigeria’s greatest democratic betrayals.
He criticised Babangida’s half-hearted apology, stating that the former military ruler conveniently shifted blame onto deceased figures who are no longer alive to challenge his version of events.
“IBB had a chance to show remorse and make amends for the damage he inflicted on Nigeria’s democracy, but instead, he chose to insult our collective intelligence. He dribbled around the truth, just like his nickname ‘Maradona’ suggests. Nigerians will not be deceived again,” Onjeh declared.
The former Chairman, Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, compared Babangida’s autobiography to the James Hadley Chase novel, “The dead stay dumb,” arguing that the book attempts to control the narrative through selective storytelling.
Onjeh noted that IBB’s account conveniently absolves himself while placing the blame on deceased figures such as Chief MKO Abiola, General Sani Abacha, Prince Arthur Nzeribe, Justice Bassey Ikpeme, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, and others.
He further expressed outrage that high-profile Nigerians attended the book launch and donated large sums of money to a so-called “IBB Presidential Library,” while our public libraries, schools and other public institutions are left in dilapidation.
“What exactly is IBB preserving? A legacy of deception, betrayal, and stolen mandates? It is a slap in the face of democracy-loving Nigerians that such a man still enjoys reverence,” Onjeh fumed.
The former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) insisted that the annulment of the June 12 election was not merely an abuse of power but an outright treasonable offense.
He maintained that IBB and his co-conspirators must face justice for subverting the will of millions of Nigerians who voted for MKO Abiola in what remains Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
“No statute of limitations should shield IBB and his cronies from facing justice, as time doesn’t run against crime. If we are serious about democracy, then actions must have consequences.
“The global community must also act by sanctioning IBB and freezing any ill-gotten assets stashed abroad. A coup against democracy must never go unpunished,” Onjeh stated.
The former President of the West Africa Students’ Union (WASU) described June 12 as a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
He recalled how millions of Nigerians transcended ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic divides to cast their votes for a leader they believed in.
“The June 12 election was a unifying moment in Nigeria’s history. It proved that Nigerians could set aside their differences and unite for a common cause—only for IBB to crush that hope overnight,” Onjeh lamented.
He further noted that many student leaders, pro-democracy activists, and journalists lost their lives in the struggle to reinstate MKO Abiola’s mandate, while countless others were imprisoned, tortured, or forced into exile.
“As one who voted in that election, and also has a record of activists martyred in the frontline of the pro-democracy struggle during that era, I can never forget the sacrifices of our comrades. The blood of our fallen heroes will continue to cry out for justice,” Onjeh vowed.
Onjeh, who was also the APC 2023 Senatorial Candidate for Benue South, outlined the following demanded immediate arrest and prosecution of IBB and his accomplices for treason, arguing The annulment of the June 12 election was an act of subversion against the Nigerian people, and those responsible must be held accountable.
He also called for full compensation for the victims of the June 12 struggle, including families of those who lost their lives, as well as those who suffered unlawful imprisonment and other damages, must be identified and duly compensated.
He further demanded official recognition of MKO Abiola as a former President of Nigeria, arguing while President Muhammadu Buhari took a commendable step by awarding MKO Abiola the GCFR title and declaring June 12 as Democracy Day, more must be done, Abiola must be recognised in all official records as a former President and Commander-in-Chief, and his family must receive all benefits due to former heads of state.
The former Chairman, Governing Board of PRODA also challenged IBB to come clean on the controversial $12.4 billion Gulf Oil Windfall.
He accused Babangida’s administration of gross mismanagement of the huge revenue Nigeria earned during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, noting that a probe by the Pius Okigbo Panel indicted the regime for financial recklessness.
“For decades, Nigerians have demanded answers, but all we get is silence. Where did the money go, and who benefited? Since IBB is suddenly in a confessing mood, he should answer these burning questions,” Onjeh charged.
Onjeh maintained that no amount of historical revisionism can absolve IBB of his crimes against democracy. While Babangida may attempt to portray himself as a misunderstood leader, the reality remains that his annulment of June 12 set Nigeria’s democracy back by decades.
“History will judge IBB, but so should the law. Nigeria must not be a country where impunity thrives. If we are truly a democratic nation, we must act now. Babangida and his accomplices must face the full weight of the law. Anything less would be a betrayal of the ideals that June 12 represents,” Onjeh stated.
