An Ibadan-based human rights activist, Femi Aborisade, has said that former military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida should be in prison for the rest of his life for damaging the country.
It would be recalled that IBB launched his autobiography, A Journey of Service, on February 20, 2025, giving a personal account of his regime, which began on August 27, 1985, and lasted until August 26, 1993.
In the book, IBB delved into many issues, including the annulment of the 1993 presidential election.
Reacting in a chat with The Guardian, Aborisade maintained that Babangida should be in prison for the rest of his life.
He said IBB was not sincere in his regrets, adding that he damaged the country.
Aborisade emphasised that the June 12 annulment was a disservice to Nigerians, as it had caused untold deaths and bloodshed.
The human rights lawyer said, “IBB is a tyrannical villain who should be tried for annulling the democratic electoral choice of the Nigerian people in the June 12 presidential election. IBB sheds crocodile tears. He is insincere in his so-called regrets. He has done incalculable damage to societal development.
“Nigerians should reject IBB and all the evil that his regime represents. The annulment of the June 12 presidential election remains a monumental disservice to Nigerian society. The struggle against the annulment has caused untold bloodshed, deaths, maiming, killings, and brutalisation.
“It is unfortunate that people like IBB, who ought to be socially ostracised for the monumental setback their regimes represent for society, are being celebrated by a segment of the media. He deserves to be put on trial. He deserves to be in prison for the rest of his life.”
He added that IBB was a tyrannical villain.
Aborisade stated further, “From the standpoint of the masses of Nigeria, IBB is a tyrannical villain. But from the standpoint of those honouring him with their presence and donating part of the loot they stole from what belongs to Nigerians generally, IBB is their hero. Members of the ruinous ruling class and rotten businessmen are not representative of the aspirations of Nigerian society. They represent the old order who contributed to ruining Nigeria. Those who pretended they were pro-June 12 but are celebrating IBB, who annulled the June 12 presidential election, are actually as guilty as IBB. They are mocking MKO Abiola while dining and smiling with the killers of MKO.
By celebrating IBB, they are celebrating coup-making and encouraging undemocratic interventions in the political life of the country.
“I’m not surprised; many of those who attended the book launch were IBB-inspired new breed politicians who emerged after prominent politicians had been banned from participating in politics.”
