Revealed: The Shocking Reasons Behind Yar’Adua, Bola Ige, Saraki’s 1991 Arrest – IBB Speaks

Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has justified the annulment of the 1991 governorship primaries, citing rampant electoral fraud and rigging.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In his newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service, Babangida revealed that 13 prominent political figures were arrested to restore credibility to the electoral process. Among those detained were General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Abubakar Rimi, Lateef Jakande, Bola Ige, Jim Nwobodo, Olusola Saraki, Solomon Lar, and Arthur Nzeribe.

“The rescheduled primaries were conducted in five states on December 3, 1991, but only after we arrested and detained 13 political ‘godfathers’ from both parties,” Babangida stated. However, he did not elaborate on each individual’s involvement in the alleged electoral malpractices.

Governors Secretly Plotted to Prolong Military Rule

Babangida further disclosed that some governors elected under the National Republican Congress (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) covertly conspired to extend military rule, despite publicly advocating for a democratic transition.

He accused these governors of collaborating with the controversial Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), led by Senator Arthur Nzeribe, alongside key military officers, to undermine Nigeria’s return to civilian rule.

Regret Over Allowing Abacha to Retain Power

Reflecting on his tenure, Babangida admitted that one of his greatest regrets was permitting General Sani Abacha to remain in power under the Interim National Government (ING) led by Chief Ernest Shonekan.

“I was deeply troubled to learn that Abacha and a select few had orchestrated negative sentiments against me within the military, portraying me as the problem while plotting a coup,” Babangida wrote.

He explained that the ING was established as a compromise to manage fierce opposition between Abacha and those advocating for the validation of Chief Moshood Abiola’s mandate following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.