Former Nigeria head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, on Friday said the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election was to save Nigeria from crumbling.
The late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, had clearly won the election and was remaining to be officially announced as winner before the exercise was annulled.
However, speaking on that event during an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Babangida said the election was annulled to avert deadly coup and pressure which could have occurred from military and civilians.
Recall that the annulment of the election led to a serious unrest in the country.
Babangida said, “Do you want me to be honest with you? If it materialized [If the election had gone through], there would have been a coup d’etat which could have been violent. That is all I can confirm.
“It didn’t happen, thank God for the Maradonic way we handled you guys in the society.”
He added that the election “could have given room for more instability in the country.”
Asked further if he was pressured by the military or civilians to annul the election, Babangida said:
“Both. The Military, they can do it because they have the weapons to do it. The other is social agitation.”