Sowore Calls for Arrest, Prosecution Of Babangida

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for the arrest and prosecution of former military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, over alleged human rights abuses, killings, corruption and other controversial actions linked to his administration.

Sowore made the demand in a statement shared on his social media platforms on Thursday, arguing that Babangida’s advanced age should not shield him from accountability for decisions taken during his rule.

Babangida, who governed Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, recently turned 85.

According to Sowore, allegations surrounding the former military regime should be subjected to proper investigation and, where evidence establishes criminal responsibility, prosecution should follow.

“It is not too late to arrest and prosecute Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for crimes committed under his military dictatorship,” Sowore stated.

He referenced the case of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, who faced arrest and legal proceedings in his later years, to argue that age should not automatically confer immunity from justice.

Sowore specifically pointed to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was widely believed to have been won by the late businessman and politician, Moshood Abiola.

He also cited the execution of Mamman Vatsa, the killing of journalist Dele Giwa and controversies surrounding the 1990 Gulf War oil windfall among issues he believes deserve renewed scrutiny.

The AAC candidate’s latest comments followed a disagreement with Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, over his criticism of Babangida.

Sowore had earlier condemned celebrations marking Babangida’s 85th birthday, accusing the former military ruler of leaving behind a damaging legacy.

He subsequently rejected the suggestion that his criticism was motivated by Babangida’s age, insisting that his concerns were focused on the former leader’s record in office.

“I did not attack Ibrahim Babangida because he is 85 years old. My criticism was about his record in power and what his decisions did to Nigeria,” he said.

Sowore also rejected Baba-Ahmed’s description of Babangida as a revered former Nigerian leader, saying Nigerians have the right to assess the former ruler’s legacy differently.

He further criticised what he described as a culture of excessive deference to powerful political figures, arguing that public officials and former leaders should remain subject to scrutiny regardless of their age or status.

The AAC candidate maintained that accountability should apply universally, including to political leaders who may emerge in the future.

“If I betray the democratic will of Nigerians, they should say so. If I impoverish people through disastrous policies, they should say so. If I violate their rights, they should say so,” he said.

Sowore argued that Nigeria’s failure to confront controversial episodes in its political history has contributed to what he described as “historical amnesia.”

He said the country must move away from what he called the practice of protecting influential former leaders from scrutiny and instead strengthen institutions capable of holding public officials accountable.

“My politics has never been about hatred of individuals. It is about systems. It is about accountability. It is about institutions that work for all citizens regardless of class or social status,” Sowore said.

He concluded that growing old should not place anyone beyond historical or legal scrutiny.

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