Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi has described former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida as a patriotic and dedicated leader committed to Nigeria.

Mr Fayemi, an active voice in the June 12 struggle, vocal then against Mr Babaginda who annulled what many have said was Nigeria’s most credible election, made this statement in a birthday message in honour of Mr Babaginda, who clocked 80 this week. 

“Gen. Babangida has demonstrated his patriotism, dedication and commitment to the Nigeria project as a soldier and commander-in-chief of the armed forces,” Mr Fayemi said.  

Mr Fayemi’s eulogy to Mr Babaginda comes 28 years after he teamed up with other Nigerians demanding that the winner of the June 12 election, the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO, be declared winner.

When President Muhammadu Buhari regime declared June 12 Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of MKO, Mr Fayemi criticised Mr Babangida for the annulment.

“It must be noted that the blame of the annulment goes squarely to the administration of General Badamosi Babangida, who, after supervising a great electoral process, inexplicably fell victim to the lure of untrammelled power,” Mr Fayemo said.

He added, “Arguably, June 12 was the second most significant national crisis after the civil war of 1967-1970, because of the reverberating effect that it had on the polity of the nation. The whole nation was crippled to a standstill after the annulment of the election as a result of the strike action by organized labour and the sustained daily protest by the mass of the public.”