Babangida said Abacha, who was his comrade at arms plotted to overthrow him despite their deep relationship.
As reported by The Nation, Babangida stated on pages 278 and 279 of the book while adding that Abacha saved his life once and also risked his life to ensure that he became Head of State in 1985. “I obviously didn’t know everything about him! For instance, I was alarmed to discover that he and a handful of others mobilised negative opinions against me within the military, portraying me as the problem.
That campaign was geared towards a violent military coup to remove me as President forcefully. “But even more bizarre for me was my discovery of the loathing that Abacha had for the person of Abiola, whom I thought had a good relationship with him.” He further stated that: “Unfortunately, the forces gathered against him (Abiola) after the June 12 elections were so formidable that I was convinced that if he became President, he would be quickly eliminated by the same very forces who pretended to be his friends. “But even more bizarre for me was my discovery of the loathing that Abacha had for the person of Abiola, whom I thought had a good relationship with him.
” He further stated that: “Unfortunately, the forces gathered against him (Abiola) after the June 12 elections were so formidable that I was convinced that if he became President, he would be quickly eliminated by the same very forces who pretended to be his friends.“While I accept that the unfortunate denial of his mandate amounted to a subversion of the will of the Nigerian people,
I was petrified that if Abiola got killed, it could lead to a civil war. Having participated in one civil war, with all its horrors, pains and devastation, I wasn’t prepared to see another.The June 12 election has been a hot topic with diverse accounts of the events narrated by different parties. However, in his autobiography: ‘A Journey in Service,’ which was launched on Thursday, February 20, 2025, it was disclosed that Babangida said he was convinced that Abiola won.