A leading Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has described the reason given by former military head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), for annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election result as an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians.
According to Afenifere, Babangida lost the opportunity to be the father of a new Nigeria by that particular action.
Afenifere, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Sola Ebiseni, was reacting to IBB’s recent interview on Arise TV, where he said he annulled the election to prevent a violent coup d’etat.
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MKO Abiola was adjudged the winner of the election which many people believed was the freest and fairest election in the history of Nigeria.
“Babangida has not said a new thing worthy of any reaction in respect of his treasonable acts of the annulment of the adjudged freest and fairest election in the country’s political history,” Afenifere said.
The apex Yoruba organisation further reminded the former military dictator that Nigerians are no longer interested in any excuse he provides.
“It is even more preposterous that IBB will only now be insulting the intelligence of Nigerians that he annulled their mandate to forestall a violent coup, which, by reasonable inference, he was aware of.
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“He lost the opportunity of being the hero of democracy and father of a new Nigeria, an eternal regret that no whitewashing on television can redeem.
“However, it is no gainsaying the fact that the present administration has made saints of all previous administrations in every aspect of governance,” Afenifere said.
