Dele Farotimi: IBB Wouldn’t Dare To Appear In Public In Sane Society But He’s Celebrated In ‘Crime Scene’ Like Nigeria
Farotimi’s comments followed Babangida’s recent admission that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has said that in a conscious society, former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida retd. (IBB), would not dare to appear in public.
Farotimi noted that in a country like Nigeria however, which he described as a “crime scene,” Babangida enjoys the status of a statesman.
“To die for a people devoid of memory, is to be killed over and over, again and again,” Farotimi said.
“In a place inhabited by the conscious, IBB would not dare to show his face in public. But in the crime scene that doubles as our country, having been succeeded by even more villainous rulers, Badamasi is installed in the seat of the statesman. Tueh.”
Farotimi’s comments followed Babangida’s recent admission that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The former military leader made this revelation in his autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” launched on Thursday at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Babangida’s regime annulled the 1993 election before Abiola could be officially declared president.
The annulment led to nationwide protests and a prolonged struggle for democracy, culminating in Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
During the book launch, Babangida admitted that Abiola “satisfied all the requirements” to become president.
He stated that Abiola, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, secured the majority of votes and had the necessary geographical spread to win.
He further described annulling the election as the most difficult decision of his life.
MKO on my mind.
To die for a people devoid of memory, is to be killed over and over, again and again. In a place inhabited by the conscious, IBB would not dare to show his face in public. But in the crime scene that doubles as our country, having been succeeded by even more… pic.twitter.com/tMJgRglrEP
— Dele Farotimi. A victim of Nigeria (@DeleFarotimi) February 20, 2025
However, human rights activists like Omoyele Sowore have argued that true justice can only be served if those responsible for the annulment face legal consequences.
Despite the posthumous honours given to Abiola, including the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day, the controversy surrounding the annulment persists.
Babangida’s legacy remains divisive, with many questioning why he has not faced any consequences for his actions.
