Former Minister of Aviation and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Fani-Kayode, has commended former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, for taking responsibility for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election won by MKO Abiola, saying Nigerians ‘need to appreciate him for this gesture.’
Fani-Kayode, in a statement on his personal Facebook page, titled ‘PRESIDENT IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA: AN IRREPRESIBLE ENIGMA AND ENDURING INSTITUTION’, said the former head of state has “explained the circumstances under which it happened and has not only acknowledged that Abiola actually won the election but that he was also unfairly robbed of his MANDATE when he and his military regime annuled it.”
He, however, stated that Babangida failed to disclose what those who wanted the election aborted could have done to him and others, including MKO Abiola, if he had refused to do their bidding.
“What he didn’t say was that if he had not annuled the election those that wanted it aborted would have killed him, key members of his Government, MKO Abiola, MKO’s family and everyone else that opposed them and his Government would have been toppled in a very violent and bloody coup which would have definately led to a long, brutal and protracted civil war.
“IBB has told his side of the story and explained to us what actually transpired. He refused to remain silent, he did not shy away from speaking the truth or refuse to accept responsibility and he did not pass the buck.
“Instead he came clean, displayed immense courage and did the right and proper thing,” he stated.
Continuing, Fani-Kayode noted that Babangida’s admittance of wrongdoing for annulling June 12 election was a valiant action that deserves appreciation over vilification.
“That is what leaders are meant to do and he did it without fear or favour regardless of whose ox was gored. Kudos to him.
“We need to appreciate this gesture, eschew all bitterness, let go of all our pent up anger, forgive him for what many perceive to be his sins and move on.
“Equally we need to accord him his rightful place in history as one the the greats despite his fallibility. He is after all a mere man, albeit a great one, and not God.
“Only God is free of fault and is infallible and there is not one man that has ever lived, led or ruled that is infallible,” he added.
The former minister added that all those insulting IBB, as he’s fondly called, are bitter, twisted souls, ignorant, and cowards who have no appreciation of history.
“All those insulting and abusing him today for putting the facts and his experiences on record in his book are malevolent, bitter, twisted souls & unenlightened, ignorant, cowards who have no appreciation of history or what this man actually achieved in his 8 years in office or the events that led up to June 12th.
“They only see things in part and are allowing their emotions rather than their heads to rule them”.
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