Media personality Morayo Afolabi Brown has called for accountability and justice from former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, following the controversial launch of his new book. The event, which has sparked widespread debate, saw Babangida taking responsibility for some of the decisions made during his regime, including the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election—a move that not only derailed Nigeria’s democratic progress but also led to the death of the election’s presumed winner, Chief MKO Abiola.
In a heartfelt and impassioned statement, Morayo Brown expressed her frustration and pain over how the annulment and its consequences were treated with levity during the book launch. She demanded answers from Babangida, holding him accountable for the trauma inflicted on her family, the Abiola family, and countless other Nigerians who suffered during his tenure. Her words were a poignant reminder of the human cost of political decisions and the enduring scars they leave behind.
“The last 48 hours have been quite interesting,” Morayo began. “Babangida has a lot of questions to answer, and I cannot wait to read that book. My father warned Nigerians about this man. My father did everything in his power to get this man to pay for his sins, but nothing happened. Men of valor fought with their voices, pens, and influence, yet Babangida reigned like a fearless hurricane, bulldozing all that was in its path.”
Morayo recounted the personal toll her family endured as a result of Babangida’s actions. Her father, a vocal critic of the regime, was repeatedly imprisoned by the military government before being forced into exile. “Dad snuck out through Cotonou to get to the US,” she revealed. The stress and trauma of those years culminated in her father suffering a stroke after hearing about the assassination of Kudirat Abiola, MKO Abiola’s wife, who was a close family friend.
“Today, Babangida says he takes responsibility, and we all should just accept and move on?” Morayo questioned. “Mr. President, I have the highest regard for you, but don’t you think Babangida should be prosecuted for the crime of annulling the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, which eventually led to the death of many innocent lives?”
Morayo’s statement was a direct challenge to the current political establishment, including President Bola Tinubu, who was present at the book launch. She expressed her dismay at the lighthearted atmosphere of the event, which she felt trivialized the pain and suffering caused by Babangida’s actions. “I saw how you all laughed at the book launch. I’m sorry, nothing there seemed comical to me,” she said.
Her words also painted a vivid picture of the personal losses and emotional scars borne by those close to the Abiola family. Morayo recalled her childhood friendship with MKO Abiola, his wife Kudirat, and their children, describing how their home, once filled with laughter and joy, became a house of sorrow and pain after Kudirat’s assassination. “I was in her house, stunned, when Mumuni, Hadi, and Mariam were whisked away to the US following Kudirat’s death. That picture never left my head,” she shared.
The trauma of those years left an indelible mark on Morayo’s family. Her father’s stroke, which occurred shortly after Kudirat’s death, was a direct consequence of the stress and anguish he endured. “He never recovered,” Morayo lamented.
Morayo’s call for justice is not just a personal plea but a demand for accountability on behalf of all Nigerians who suffered under Babangida’s regime. She highlighted the irony of seeing those who once supported her father now sharing a table with the man responsible for their collective pain. “You, Mr. President, supported my father till he died. You know the pains and the struggles, yet you laugh at the table of OUR tormentor?” she asked, addressing President Tinubu.
The June 12, 1993, election is widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. MKO Abiola, the presumed winner, was denied his mandate after Babangida annulled the election, plunging the country into political turmoil. The aftermath of the annulment saw widespread protests, arrests, and the deaths of many pro-democracy activists, including Kudirat Abiola, who was assassinated in 1996. MKO Abiola himself died in custody in 1998 under suspicious circumstances, just weeks before his expected release.
Babangida’s recent admission of responsibility for the annulment has reignited debates about accountability and justice. While some have praised his willingness to address the past, others, like Morayo, argue that mere words are not enough. “Taking responsibility is not enough,” she asserted. “Babangida must be held accountable for the lives lost, the families destroyed, and the democratic aspirations crushed under his watch.”
Morayo’s statement has resonated with many Nigerians who continue to grapple with the legacy of military rule and the unresolved injustices of the past. Her courage in speaking out serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions, no matter how much time has passed.
As the nation reflects on Babangida’s book and his admissions, Morayo’s call for justice underscores the need for a deeper reckoning with Nigeria’s history. It is a call to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy and to ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.
In her closing words, Morayo expressed hope that one day, justice would be served. “Until then, we will continue to speak, to remember, and to demand accountability. For my father, for the Abiolas, and for all the innocent lives lost, we will not be silenced.”
Her message is a testament to the enduring power of truth and the unyielding spirit of those who seek justice in the face of adversity.
