Veteran Journalist and pioneer editor of the Tell Magazine, Mr Dare Babarinsa yesterday narrated how the former Military Head of State, Late General Sanni Abacha deceived the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
He said the deceitful act by Abacha made Abiola to direct some chieftains of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere to support his (Abacha) government.
Babarinsa who delivered a lecture entitled ‘June 12: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ at an event organized by the Ondo state government as part of the activities marking the 25th anniversary of the June 12 presidential election, said Abiola will forever remain the hero of the nation’s democracy having paid the supreme sacrifice for the country.
Babarinsa recounted that General Ibrahim Babangida should be blamed for his activities before and after the election having reportedly assured Abiola that he would hand over power to him.
“It was on that basis that Abiola agreed to join the presidential race. I was privileged to be one of the few journalists that went to Senegal with Abiola before the election and he told us that he was not interested in contesting the election despite pressure from high profiled Nigerians.
“However, he said he would agree to contest if Babangida could assure him that he would hand over power. Abiola later told us that Babangida, who happened to be his very close friend, had agreed to hand over power and also encouraged him to throw his hat in the ring.
“He contested and won the election but the same Babangida annulled the election. He also revealed how Late Abacha deceived Abiola by promising to hand over to him if he assumed office as the Head of State but never did till he died in office.
“That was why Abiola directed some Yoruba leaders including Chief Ebenezer Babatope to serve in Abacha’s government. Some individuals blamed people like Babatope and Lateef Jakande among others for being part of Abacha’s government because they did not know what actually transpired between Abiola and Abacha.
Abiola was according to him a symbol of democracy in the country and a good friend of the military. ‘Abiola was a good friend of the military and Nigerians knew that the military ruined the country, hence the resolve to support Abiola who was the only one that could send the military back to the barracks. They therefore voted massively for him, but the Military ultimately prevented him from getting into the office’ he stated.
