Kingibe, Ikimi to attend book launch on annulment of June 12 election

Baba Gana Kingibe, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), and Tom Ikimi, former minister of foreign affairs, are expected to attend a public presentation of the book “Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 Debacle: Reporters’ Account”.

Kingibe was running mate to Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the presidential election held on June 12, 1993.

The election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, former head of state.

But in 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as Democracy Day.

The book, which would be presented on Tuesday at Radio House in the federal capital territory, was put together by journalists who reported the events of that tumultuous era under the aegis of National Association of Political Correspondents (NAPOC).

In a statement on Friday, Emeka Nwosu, on behalf of NAPOC, said the book “offers a deep historical insight into the character and content of the transition process and the web of conspiracies that were deployed by key political actors in the military and their civilian collaborators to scuttle the June 12 election.”

“The 242-page book provides a gripping account of many of the behind-the-scenes manoeuvres by President Babangida and his henchmen that set the stage for the infamous annulment. The narratives are compelling and unputdownable,” it reads.

“The event is to be chaired by Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).

“Also expected on the occasion are other political actors of that era and serving Governors and Members of the National Assembly, including the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu who is the Chief Guest of Honour.”