The Blame Game Backfires: Babangida’s Memoir Sparks New Scrutiny of His Leadership Failures

In attempting to shift responsibility for the 1993 election annulment onto Abacha, Babangida’s latest memoir reopens wounds of a turbulent legacy marked by economic collapse and democratic betrayal.

Former Nigerian military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s newly launched memoir, A Journey in Service, has ignited a firestorm of controversy by attempting to deflect responsibility for one of the darkest chapters in Nigeria’s history—the annulment of the 1993 presidential election. In a surprising twist, Babangida points fingers at his former ally, General Sani Abacha, portraying him as the mastermind behind the infamous annulment.

The claims, presented during the book’s launch on February 20, 2025, have drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing Babangida of rewriting history. His assertions that Abacha acted without his consent and that he was “outflanked” by internal forces are being dismissed as a convenient narrative designed to absolve himself of blame for dismantling Nigeria’s most credible election.

Critics argue that the facts tell a different story. Babangida, as Commander-in-Chief, authorized the annulment—an action that shattered democratic hopes and plunged the nation into political chaos. Questions have also resurfaced about his decision to keep Abacha in key positions of power, despite allegedly viewing him as a threat.

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Economically, Babangida’s tenure is remembered for the devastating Structural Adjustment Program that devalued the naira and fueled inflation, plunging millions into poverty. By contrast, Abacha, despite his authoritarian reputation, managed to stabilize the economy, amassing reserves and reducing inflation—an uncomfortable reality for those now dissecting Babangida’s claims.

The memoir, meant to rehabilitate Babangida’s legacy, seems to have achieved the opposite. Instead of recasting history in his favor, it has reignited debates about his failures in leadership, his role in suppressing democracy, and the long shadow of June 12, 1993—a wound that, for many Nigerians, remains unhealed.