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Atedo Peterside warns that Nigerian elites risk normalizing deceit if historical truths are distorted. Reacting to IBB’s autobiography on June 12, 1993, he stresses the need for integrity in leadership. He urges new elder statesmen to uphold truth, emphasizing that the "ghost of June 12" still haunts Nigeria.

Nigerian economist and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, has cautioned that the country's elite risk making deceit a norm if the truth is continuously sidelined in national discourse. Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels TV, Peterside emphasized the need for honesty and accountability among influential figures, particularly in shaping historical narratives.

His remarks were in reaction to former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida’s recently released autobiography, A Journey In Service, which revisits events surrounding the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. Babangida claims in the book that the decision to nullify the election—widely believed to have been won by MKO Abiola—was announced without his approval, and that the push for its annulment was spearheaded by his then-chief of defense staff, Sani Abacha.

Peterside challenged this account, stressing that historical truth must be upheld to prevent misinformation from being institutionalized. He lamented the absence of elder statesmen like Ayo Adebanjo and Edwin Clark, who were known for their unwavering commitment to truth. According to Peterside, their passing leaves a vacuum that must be filled by new voices willing to uphold integrity in leadership.

Reflecting on the June 12 crisis, Peterside recalled the widespread opposition to the annulment and the lingering consequences that still haunt Nigeria’s political landscape. He argued that history cannot be rewritten to serve personal narratives and urged leaders to draw a line against distortion of facts, warning that the "ghost of June 12" continues to loom over those who played a role in the election's annulment.