A retired Nigerian Army General, Ishola Williams, has contradicted former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, revealing that Babangida had actively prepared General Sani Abacha to take over leadership before annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, Gen. Williams, who served as Chief of Defence Training and Planning, provided insight into the controversial events surrounding the annulment. His comments challenge the narrative in Babangida’s newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida, launched on February 20, 2025.
IBB’s Memoir and a New Revelation
In the 420-page book, Babangida, for the first time, admitted that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest. While taking responsibility for the annulment, he claimed Abacha acted unilaterally in canceling the poll.
On page 296, Babangida wrote about the military’s reaction to the decision:
“Within the military leadership, there was palpable outrage. The best of us, like Lt-General Salihu Ibrahim and Major-General Ishola Williams, were alarmed, and Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar threatened to resign.”
However, Gen. Williams, who resigned in protest after the annulment, offered a different version, stating that Babangida had been laying the groundwork for Abacha’s takeover long before the election was annulled.
The ‘Khalipha’ and a Midnight Conversation
According to Gen. Williams, Babangida frequently referred to Abacha as “Khalipha,” signaling that he was being positioned as a successor. He recalled a private midnight conversation in Minna, during which he directly asked Babangida if he had a “blood oath” with Abacha.
“He could not answer me,” Williams said.
This conversation took place after a group of civilian governors visited Babangida, urging him to remain in power. Williams advised him to ignore them and step down, emphasizing that the military’s best course was to return to civilian rule.
In August 1993, Williams formally wrote to Babangida, urging him to transition power. He even organized a military reception for IBB’s return to Minna, but shortly after Babangida left office, Abacha moved in, swiftly replacing the newly appointed service chiefs.
The Secret Military Meeting and Abacha’s Rise
Williams disclosed that before the interim government led by Ernest Shonekan was formed, a crucial military meeting was held at the Villa. Attended by Brigadier Generals and above, the late Attorney General Clement Akpamgbo was the only civilian present.
During the meeting, Williams pushed for an immediate handover to civilians, questioning why annulment was even being discussed.
“I thought we came here to discuss the handover process,” he argued. But Abacha, seated beside him, dismissed his concerns.
The discussions led to the drafting of a transition decree, which Williams believes was designed to pave the way for Abacha’s takeover.
The Long Road to Nigeria’s Fourth Republic
The June 12 annulment sparked nationwide protests, forcing Babangida to step aside, installing Shonekan’s interim government. However, within three months, Abacha staged a palace coup on November 18, 1993, taking control of Nigeria.
MKO Abiola, whose victory was nullified, later declared himself president, leading to his imprisonment by Abacha’s regime. He died under mysterious circumstances on July 7, 1998, at the age of 60. His wife, Kudirat Abiola, was assassinated in 1996.
Abacha’s unexpected death in 1998 paved the way for General Abdulsalami Abubakar to oversee a transition to democracy. This led to the election of former military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo as president in 1999, marking the beginning of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
The Debate Continues
With Babangida’s memoir rekindling old wounds, survivors of the era, including Gen. Williams, continue to challenge the official narrative. As Nigeria reflects on its political history, the full truth behind June 12 and its aftermath remains a subject of national debate.
