Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has said the nullification of the June 12, 1993 election by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida was the final stage of political manipulation.
Falana made this submission on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
In his memoir, “A Journey in Service”, Babangida cleared himself of any wrong doing and instead blamed the late Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who he claimed was behind the annulment of the election won by Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party.
Falana debunked this narrative, saying Babangida cannot dissociate himself from the events of 1993.
He explained that Babangida had claimed he travelled to Katsina on June 23, 1993 and was shocked to learn about the cancellation.
Falana pointed out that Babangida had already taken steps to prevent judicial intervention by stopping the courts – particularly the Court of Appeal—from entertaining the case.
He said, “Section 19 of Decree 25 of 1987 strictly prohibited any court from intervening in the electoral process, whether by temporary or final orders.
“When it became clear the Court of Appeal was about to set aside these restrictions, Babangida pre-empted them by issuing a decree on June 22, forestalling judicial interference.
“Five decrees were made to legalise the annulment and the declaration on June 23 was backed by these decrees. Between June 23 and 26, Babangida formally promulgated and signed off on the annulment and paved the way for an interim national government and a change of direction for the country.
“He (Babangida) later claimed he was not aware of the annulment on June 23, yet by June 26 he had broadcast a statement defending the cancellation, saying although the election was fair and free, it was actually marred by widespread rigging.
“On June 22, Babangida also dissolved the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal led by the late Justice Bola Babalake and established by Chief Justice Mohamed Bello, consolidating his grip on the process.How could Babangida later say external forces cancelled the election and had nothing to do with it when his actions showed he was in charge.
That was the final act of manipulation.
“After this cancellation, Campaign for Democracy went on the streets across the country to express the general outrage.”