The family of Dele Giwa, co-founder of Newswatch magazine, has urged journalists to set the record straight in the wake of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, which denies his administration’s involvement in Giwa’s assassination.
In the book’s 10th chapter, titled The Challenges of Leadership, Babangida dismissed allegations that his government orchestrated the 1986 parcel bomb that killed Giwa, calling such claims “cheap and foolish.” He argued that no official assassination plot would leave an obvious trail leading back to the government.
Babangida described Giwa as a friend and respected journalist, recalling their phone conversations and meetings. “I valued his deep insight on national issues and respected his views,” he wrote.
However, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Giwa’s brother, Tunde, challenged journalists to scrutinize Babangida’s narrative. “Politicians are reacting to him because they are politicians. Let the journalists react to him because they are journalists,” he said, implying that the responsibility to uncover the truth lies with the media.
The lingering controversy surrounding Giwa’s assassination remains one of Nigeria’s most infamous unresolved cases, with Babangida’s latest remarks reigniting debate over the 39-year-old mystery.
