Daily Justice

Nigerian human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has fiercely criticised former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) over his recent book launch, describing the event as a ‘gathering of vultures’ and a blatant attempt to rewrite history with ‘tissues of lies’.

Speaking on the controversial book launch, Farotimi condemned Babangida for nullifying the 1993 presidential election and then attempting to justify his actions decades later. “After 32 years of nullifying an election, he decides to rewrite history by tissues of lies,” he remarked.

According to Farotimi, Babangida was driven by fear, particularly of the late military dictator, Sani Abacha. He noted that many of the key political players from the 1993 annulment, aside from David Mark, are now deceased. “So, he is a coward,” Farotimi asserted.

The activist further criticised the spectacle surrounding the book launch, describing how even a presidential candidate was reportedly denied entry into the hall. “Imagine so-called local chiefs struggling to enter into the book launch hall,” he said.

Farotimi did not spare Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, for attending the event. “I know Peter Obi knows what I think about him attending that book launch, which I think shows a lack of sensitivity for those who suffered and continue to suffer because of the 1993 actions of IBB,” he said.

Drawing a parallel between the 1993 and 2023 elections, Farotimi described the latter as merely a repeat of history. “2023 was just a repeat of 1993 nullification. It was a shameless spectacle,” he stated.

Farotimi lamented the state of collective memory in Nigeria, asserting that history has been erased to keep citizens in a perpetual state of ignorance and poverty. “The land is devoid of memories,” he said, adding that Nigerians are now too focused on basic survival to reflect on the past. “It is a state of weaponised ignorance and weaponised poverty.”

He further criticised the removal of history from the Nigerian educational curriculum, arguing that it was a deliberate attempt to ensure that “no one seems to remember anything again.” For him, truthful memories are vital to guiding a society towards sanity. “If you tell the truth, you must never be afraid of your memories,” he said. “My memories are now beginning to sound like prophecies.”

Farotimi denounced Babangida’s legacy, insisting that he will always be remembered for his role in the 1993 election annulment. “IBB will forever be defined by the evil he did that day, or rather, to that day,” he declared.

He accused Babangida of using ghostwriters to craft his book while failing to acknowledge the pain and suffering he caused. “IBB paid fat-cat ghostwriters,” he said, questioning why Nigerian society applauds corrupt individuals while vilifying those who stand for justice. “Why are the rogues in Nigeria being the ones applauded and saints criminalised?” he asked.

Farotimi recalled his own experience in 1993, stating that he personally witnessed and voted in the election. He criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo for downplaying the significance of Moshood Abiola’s victory and failing to honour his sacrifice. “Even Obasanjo said that Abiola was not the messiah and did nothing to acknowledge his sacrifice,” he noted.

The activist also took aim at prominent political figures, including President Bola Tinubu, for attending Babangida’s book launch. “Jagaban of the universe also sat there at the book launch, why?” he questioned.

Farotimi urged Nigerians to resist historical amnesia and to remember their past as a way of shaping a better future. “We have a duty to remember and not become amnesiacs. We owe a debt to the dead not to forget,” he emphasised.

He concluded by warning that Nigerian politics remains a game of power transfer among the elite, with the people as mere commodities. “Political transfer of politicians has just commenced, and the only commodity in that market is you, the people,” he stated.

Calling for vigilance and active participation in governance, Farotimi urged Nigerians to reclaim their democratic rights. “We all have the right to choose our leaders, and that right was taken from us in 1993 by IBB, explained away by Obasanjo, and now reinforced by Tinubu,” he said. “You have a duty to remember.”