How IBB fooled Nigerians with 1993 elections.
I have heard many say different things about the June 12 1993 elections and how it was the best election Nigeria ever witnessed. While June 12 was very transparent what was the real game plan behind the June 12 saga. General Ibrahim Babangida had seized power through a coup in 1985. His major helper during the Coup General Sani Abacha had agreed with IBB that he will take over after him. Twice during the IBB regime General Sani Abacha stopped two coups from ousting General IBB and most notably the Okar Coup where he came to IBB's rescue at the Baracks where he sneaked him out in a peageout 504 car on a day IBB would have been killed . IBB had retairated his promise to Abacha that after spending 8 years in power. Sani Abacha willl be Head of State. As the years came closer to it's end IBB became reluctant about handing over to General Abacha because he feared General Abacha would not want to leave power if he was given the chance. He tried to make General Abacha change his mind by offering him a huge sum of money but General Abacha insisted that he wanted the head of State seat. IBB had to come up with a plan to handover power to General Abacha without making it obvious that there was a military arrangement. He decided there will be elections and that the elections would not have a result giving him the reason to constitute an interim government. IBB downsized the political parties to just two with Bashir Tofa and Late MKO Abiola made the flag bearers. The elections were allowed to hold but while the results were to be announced he gave orders for the elections to be cancelled thereafter announcing that he will be stepping aside for an interim government to conduct a fresh election. IBB formed an interim government and placed Ernest Shonekan as the Interim President. He also retired all the senior officers to General Abacha making him the highest ranking Military officer and indirectly the number two man in the country. .Shonekan was lied to by IBB that Abacha had a role to play in his government and that was ensure that no one would topple his government meanwhile Abacha was actually there to topple the government as they agreed years ago. Shonekan was warned by someone who knew the plan but rather than approach the matter tactically Shonekan told Abacha , even showed him the letter. Abacha denied that such a plan existed. Two weeks later Abacha and some senior Military officers went to Shonekans office and forced him to resign at gunpoint. Abacha took over. June 12 1993 was never an election intended to bring forth democracy. It was IBB's excuse to form an interim government that will aid Abacha's takeover. A reward for Abacha's loyalty to him