BY TONY OKAFOR
The recent launch of former Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s (IBB) memoir, “A Journey in Service”, has generated widespread controversy.
The staggering N17 billion generated from the launch raises fundamental questions about our collective values and moral compass.
Babangida’s acknowledgement of annulling the June 12, 1993 presidential election, won by MKO Abiola, is devastating.
According to a report by the Human Rights Watch, the annulment led to widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention.
This confession should have led to Babangida’s imprisonment, regardless of the act occurring over three decades ago.
Immunity is not perpetual, and courts have repeatedly ruled that actions or inactions of immune persons can be revisited when they leave office.
Babangida’s actions constitute a clear case of obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and election tampering.
Disrupting an election is a form of electoral violence or manipulation, undermining the integrity of the democratic process.
Rather than celebrating Babangida, we should demand restitution and reparations for the harm inflicted on Nigerians.
The N17 billion generated from his book launch would be better spent on healing the wounds of the past, promoting national reconciliation, and supporting victims of his regime’s atrocities.
As we reflect on our nation’s history, let us honour the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy, justice, and equality, such as the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, who was manifestly bullied in the 1993 botched poll.
Babangida’s memoir may have shed some light on the past, but it is only a starting point.
We must continue to push for a comprehensive reckoning with our nation’s history, prioritizing truth, justice, and healing.
It is imperative that we reevaluate our priorities and demand accountability from those who have perpetrated harm against our nation.
Only then can we truly move forward towards a more just and equitable society.
