Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2016 Benue South senatorial rerun, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), over the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a strongly worded statement, Onjeh condemned IBB’s newly released autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” accusing the former military dictator of attempting to rewrite history and evade responsibility for annulling Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
“IBB had a chance to show remorse and make amends, but instead, he insulted our intelligence with half-truths and blame-shifting,” Onjeh said, criticizing Babangida’s apology as insincere and opportunistic. He compared the autobiography to James Hadley Chase’s “The Dead Stay Dumb,” alleging it manipulates the narrative while conveniently blaming deceased figures like Chief MKO Abiola and General Sani Abacha.
Onjeh, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), didn’t mince words, labeling the annulment a “treasonable offense” and demanding IBB and his co-conspirators be held accountable.
“No statute of limitations should protect IBB. A coup against democracy must never go unpunished,” he declared, calling for international sanctions and asset freezes against the former military leader.
He further criticized the fanfare surrounding IBB’s book launch, where high-profile Nigerians made generous donations to a proposed “IBB Presidential Library,” while public institutions across the country remain in disrepair.
“What exactly is IBB preserving? A legacy of deception and stolen mandates? It’s a slap in the face of democracy-loving Nigerians,” Onjeh fumed.
Onjeh also demanded:
The immediate arrest and prosecution of IBB and his accomplices for treason.
Full compensation for victims of the June 12 struggle, including families of those killed or imprisoned.
Official recognition of MKO Abiola as a former President, with all due benefits accorded to his family.
He further challenged IBB to publicly address the long-standing controversy surrounding the $12.4 billion Gulf Oil Windfall from the 1990-1991 Gulf War, which remains unaccounted for.
“Since IBB is now in a confessing mood, Nigerians deserve to know where that money went,” he charged.
Onjeh concluded by emphasizing that no amount of “historical revisionism” could absolve Babangida of his role in derailing Nigeria’s democracy.
“History will judge IBB, but so should the law. We can’t let impunity thrive in a true democracy,” he stated.
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