Breaking: IBB Confirms MKO Abiola Won June 12, 1993 Election in New Autobiography
Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has acknowledged that the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.
This revelation is contained in his newly launched autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” which was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday.
Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, shared excerpts during the event. According to Osinbajo, Babangida stated:
“Although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results, which are published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections,” he said.
Babangida also expressed regret over his handling of the June 12 crisis, noting that if given another chance, he would have approached the situation differently.
The June 12 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, saw Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), contest against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
However, the military regime, under Babangida, annulled the election as results were being released, despit Abiola’s clear lead.
In his autobiography, Babangida commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for posthumously honoring Abiola with the title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Nigeria’s highest national honor.
This recognition, he noted, was a significant step in acknowledging Abiola’s victory and the significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s democratic histor
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