On February 26, 2025, ARISE News aired an interview featuring Omoyele Sowore, a prominent pro-democracy activist and former presidential candidate, who sharply criticized Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), Nigeria’s former military ruler, over his plans to build a presidential library. In the interview, shared on X, Sowore described IBB’s library as a “scam” and suggested it should be converted into a “Hall of Shame.” This controversy, rooted in Nigeria’s turbulent political history, particularly the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, has reignited debates about accountability, historical memory, and the legacy of military rule in Nigeria. This article explores the background, current developments, and potential future implications of this contentious issue.
June 12 and IBB’s Legacy
To understand Sowore’s criticism, one must revisit the June 12, 1993, presidential election, one of the most significant moments in Nigeria’s democratic history. Held under IBB’s military regime, the election pitted Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election at the time, Abiola emerged as the clear victor, with results indicating a 58% majority, as leaked by democracy activists defying a court injunction. However, on June 24, 1993, IBB annulled the election, citing allegations of vote-buying and judicial concerns, plunging Nigeria into a crisis that led to widespread protests, economic turmoil, and numerous deaths.
The annulment established June 12 as a symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle. Abiola, who was later imprisoned by the subsequent military regime of Sani Abacha and died in detention in 1998, was posthumously recognized as a democratic icon in 1999, when then-President Olusegun Obasanjo declared June 12 Nigeria’s Democracy Day. IBB’s role in this historical episode has long been a source of contention, with critics accusing him of derailing Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule and perpetuating authoritarianism during his 1985–1993 military presidency.
IBB’s recent memoir, unveiled on February 20, 2025, in Abuja, marks a notable shift in his narrative. Attended by prominent figures, the memoir includes IBB’s first public admission that Abiola won the 1993 election and expresses regret over the annulment, attributing much of the decision to pressure from General Sani Abacha. This admission, however, has been met with skepticism and outrage from pro-democracy activists, including Sowore, who see it as a belated and self-serving attempt to reshape IBB’s legacy.
Sowore’s Critique: A Call for Accountability
During the ARISE News interview, Sowore argued that IBB, as a military ruler and not an elected leader, lacks the legitimacy to establish a presidential library. He described the project as an “accident of history” and accused IBB of using it to distort records and secure funding, potentially exploiting the June 12 controversy for personal gain. “People who are accidents of history have no right to keep records that have been distorted,” Sowore stated, suggesting that the library should instead serve as a “Hall of Shame” to memorialize IBB’s alleged misdeeds.
Sowore’s criticism is consistent with his long-standing role as a pro-democracy activist, notably as a leader in the 2019 #RevolutionNow movement calling for systemic change in Nigeria. His harsh words for IBB reflect broader frustration among activists who view the former military ruler as unrepentant for the human rights abuses and democratic setbacks of his regime, including the 1986 assassination of journalist Dele Giwa via a letter bomb, an event IBB addresses in his memoir but denies involvement in.
The presidential library, reportedly including a five-star hotel and other facilities, has also drawn scrutiny for its opulence and perceived extravagance, with some Nigerians questioning its funding and purpose. Sowore’s remarks tap into this public skepticism, framing the library as a symbol of impunity rather than a legitimate historical archive.
Public Sentiment and Political Polarization
Sowore’s comments generated a strong wave of public reactions online, revealing deeply divided opinions on IBB’s legacy and Sowore’s activism. A significant portion of the public praised Sowore’s boldness, viewing him as a courageous voice challenging the establishment and advocating for historical accountability. Many admired his willingness to confront powerful figures like IBB, seeing his critique as a necessary step toward addressing Nigeria’s unresolved grievances from the military era.
However, another substantial segment of public opinion dismissed Sowore’s remarks as politically motivated or opportunistic, accusing him of using the controversy to further his own agenda or target current political leaders. Some expressed skepticism about his intentions, suggesting that his activism might be driven by personal or partisan interests rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
Additionally, there was widespread criticism of the presidential library’s design and purpose, with many Nigerians questioning the inclusion of luxurious features like a five-star hotel. This fueled perceptions of the project as extravagant and disconnected from the public’s needs, reinforcing Sowore’s claim that it represents a misuse of resources and an attempt to rewrite history.
This polarization reflects the complexity of Nigeria’s political landscape, where historical grievances, contemporary political rivalries, and public expectations intersect, creating a charged atmosphere around figures like IBB and activists like Sowore.
Nigeria’s Military Legacy and Democratic Future
Sowore’s critique of IBB’s presidential library ties into broader discussions about Nigeria’s military history and the accountability of its former rulers. IBB’s regime, often referred to as the “Maradona” era for its political maneuvering, is remembered for both economic reforms—like the Structural Adjustment Program and authoritarian excesses, such as media censorship, human rights abuses, and the June 12 annulment. As Nigeria marks 25 years of continuous democracy since 1999, public and activist scrutiny of figures like IBB has intensified, with many demanding transparency and justice for past wrongs.
The controversy also raises questions about how Nigeria commemorates its history. Presidential libraries, common in democratic nations like the United States, are typically associated with elected leaders who shape national policy through constitutional means. Sowore’s argument that IBB, as a military dictator, has no claim to such a legacy resonates with those who see the library as an attempt to whitewash IBB’s record.
Future Developments and Challenges
The controversy surrounding IBB’s presidential library could lead to several developments. Pro-democracy activists, led by figures like Sowore, may launch public campaigns or legal challenges to question the library’s purpose, funding, and legitimacy. Such efforts could involve petitions, protests, or calls for a national dialogue on how Nigeria remembers its military rulers.
The Nigerian government, under President Tinubu, may face pressure to address these concerns, particularly given Tinubu’s attendance at IBB’s memoir launch. While Tinubu has historically positioned himself as a champion of democracy drawing on his role in the June 12 struggle his association with IBB could complicate his administration’s narrative, especially as it grapples with economic challenges and security threats.
Internationally, human rights organizations and Nigeria’s partners in the Commonwealth and United Nations may monitor the situation, given Nigeria’s commitments to democratic governance and accountability. The outcome could influence how Nigeria balances its military past with its democratic aspirations, potentially setting a precedent for addressing the legacies of other former rulers.
However, challenges remain. IBB’s enduring influence, bolstered by his network of political allies and loyalists, may shield the library project from significant opposition. Public fatigue with political controversies, coupled with Nigeria’s pressing economic and security issues, could also limit the shelf life of this debate. Nonetheless, Sowore’s vocal stance ensures that the issue will remain a focal point for activists advocating for historical accountability.
A Test of Nigeria’s Democratic Conscience
Omoyele Sowore’s critique of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s presidential library captures Nigeria’s ongoing reckoning with its military past and its aspirations for a robust democracy. By framing the library as a “scam” and a distortion of history, Sowore has reignited a national conversation about June 12, IBB’s legacy, and the role of former military rulers in shaping Nigeria’s future. The divided public sentiment, ranging from admiration for Sowore’s boldness to skepticism about his motives, reflects the complexity of this issue within Nigeria’s political landscape.
As Nigeria navigates its 25th year of uninterrupted democracy, the controversy over IBB’s library serves as a test for the country’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and historical truth. Whether the library becomes a symbol of reconciliation or a “Hall of Shame,” as Sowore suggests, will depend on the outcome of public debates, government responses, and the activism of those who continue to demand justice for Nigeria’s democratic heroes, like Moshood Abiola. This moment, rooted in the scars of June 12, 1993, highlights the enduring struggle to define Nigeria’s identity as a nation committed to democratic principles.
