Nigerians unfair to Babangida, he should write second book – Kalu

In the 420-page book, Babangida admitted that MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, which his government annulled—a revelation that has sparked mixed reactions across the country. While some have commended his honesty, others argue that his admission comes too late, 32 years after the event.

Speaking in an interview today, Kalu, who represents Abia North in the Senate, defended Babangida, saying that the former leader had the courage to say what many others would not.

“On Babangida’s book, I think Nigerians are very unfair to Babangida because he came out on his own,” the former Abia State governor said.

He further suggested that Babangida should write a second book to provide a more comprehensive account of events surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

“When I say the story is not complete, I wanted President Babangida to write more because the story has not finished. There are officers who told Babangida, ‘You cannot hand over to this man.’”

Kalu also highlighted another key revelation in Babangida’s book, in which the former president stated that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo coup—an assertion Kalu described as significant, given that many had held the Igbos responsible for the military takeover.

‘Babangida Should Write a Second Book’

The senator insisted that a follow-up book is necessary, one that details the roles played by other top military officers during the 1993 election crisis.

“More military people that were there should talk about this. There should be a second part of the book because if you mention only one or two names, it is not complete,” he said.

“They should go all out and tell Nigerians the truth. Babangida should write a second book. I know that Babangida was in danger throughout that period. If you remember the way he left power, you will know something was wrong.”

The annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, contested between MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC), remains one of the most controversial political decisions in Nigeria’s history.