‘Weakling’: Abacha’s Daughter Reacts to Babangida’s Claims on June 12 Annulment

Gumsu, daughter of the late military head of state Sani Abacha, has posted a cryptic message on social media following recent claims by former military president Ibrahim Babangida about her father’s role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

In a brief but pointed post on X, Gumsu simply wrote: “Weakling.” Her comment comes amid discussions surrounding Babangida’s newly released autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service,’ which was launched in Abuja on Thursday.

In the 420-page book, Babangida revisits the controversial annulment of the election, which was won by the late MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The former military leader described the annulment as an “accident of history” and expressed regret over the decision. He claimed that he was in Katsina when the press secretary of his second-in-command announced the cancellation without his knowledge or approval.

Babangida alleged that the forces behind the annulment were led by Abacha, his then-chief of defence staff, who would later take over as military head of state. According to Babangida, Abacha misled Abiola into believing that the election results would be reinstated once Babangida was out of power. Instead, after taking control, Abacha detained Abiola when he declared himself president.

The former president also claimed that he had engaged in discussions with various stakeholders and even offered Abiola an interim position before stepping down in August 1993. His resignation paved the way for an interim government led by Ernest Shonekan, which Abacha later overthrew in November of the same year.

The book has reignited debate over the events surrounding the annulment, with some critics accusing Babangida of shifting blame onto Abacha, who is no longer alive to defend himself. Gumsu’s cryptic post, along with her reposting of sentiments critical of Babangida’s account, suggests that she may be among those who reject his version of events.