‘We remember June 12’ — Sowore rejects Babangida whitewash

Human rights activist and presidential candidate of African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has responded to Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s criticism of his comments on former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, insisting that compassion for an elderly person should not require Nigerians to forget his record in office.

Sowore, in a lengthy statement titled “Compassion Does Not Require Historical Amnesia,” said he would not participate in what he described as an attempt to rewrite Babangida’s legacy because the former military ruler is now 85.

Datti, the former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, had criticised Sowore over comments he made about Babangida during the former military ruler’s 85th birthday.

Responding, Sowore said his criticism was directed at Babangida’s record in power and the consequences of decisions taken during his administration, rather than his age.

“Age does not erase history; in fact, the world is replete with people facing punishment in old age for atrocities committed in their prime,” Sowore said.

He added that ill health should not confer “political sainthood” and that Nigerians had the right to interrogate the decisions of leaders who exercised enormous power over the country.

Sowore also criticised Datti for what he described as contradictory comments, accusing him of preaching compassion while allegedly speculating about alcohol, drugs, imprisonment and illness in relation to Sowore’s future.

He said he had personally experienced imprisonment and detention because of his political activism and that Datti did not need to “fantasise” about such experiences.

The activist strongly challenged Datti’s description of Babangida as a “revered former Nigerian leader”, saying Nigerians were entitled to remember the former military ruler’s administration differently.

“History is not determined by the affection of political elites,” he said.

Sowore particularly cited the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which he said demonstrated the contradiction between Babangida’s record and claims that he supported democracy.

He argued that Nigerians had voted in the election and that the democratic process was subsequently truncated.

Sowore also referenced Babangida’s recent acknowledgement that the late MKO Abiola won the June 12 election, saying the admission reinforced the need to scrutinise the former military ruler’s legacy.

He further listed issues associated with the Babangida administration, including the killing of journalist Dele Giwa, the execution of military officers over alleged coup plots, political detentions, the controversy surrounding the $12bn Gulf War oil windfall and the Structural Adjustment Programme.

Sowore said he would continue to interrogate the records of leaders who exercised public power, regardless of their age.

“Growing old is a privilege. It is not immunity from history,” he said.

He also rejected what he described as Nigeria’s culture of excessive deference to political leaders, arguing that titles such as “Uncle,” “Daddy” and “Baba” should not prevent citizens from holding public officials accountable.

“A President is a public servant, not my uncle,” Sowore said.

The activist said the country’s political culture had for decades protected powerful individuals and political elites while ordinary Nigerians bore the consequences of government decisions.

He maintained that his politics was focused on accountability, institutional reform and challenging what he described as the dominance of political families, military-era power brokers and their associates.

Sowore concluded by saying Nigerians should remember the country’s political history rather than surrender their collective memory in the name of compassion.

“That is not hatred. That is how a serious country learns from its past and builds a different future,” he said.