IBB: He Never Told Us Abacha Was In Background Controlling Puppets,We Never Had That Idea-Onigbinde

Dr Akin Onigbinde (SAN), Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly in the Third Republic, has alleged that many political actors were unaware of what he described as General Sani Abacha’s behind-the-scenes influence during the events surrounding the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview on State Affairs with Edmund Obilo Show, Onigbinde claimed there was no indication at the time that Abacha played a covert role in shaping decisions that led to the annulment, saying those involved in the political process were left in the dark.

According to him, participants in Nigeria’s transition programme under former military president General Ibrahim Babangida believed they were dealing with a straightforward transition to civilian rule and had no knowledge of hidden power dynamics operating in the background.

“He never told us that Abacha was in the background controlling the puppets. We never had that idea,” Onigbinde said, suggesting that the true forces influencing events were concealed from many Nigerians, including those actively engaged in the democratic process.

His remarks add a fresh perspective to long-standing debates over the political intrigues that surrounded the June 12 election, widely regarded as one of the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. The poll, presumed won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, was annulled by the Babangida regime, a decision that triggered political unrest and intensified calls for democratic rule….See More