32 years after annuling it, IBB confesses that MKO Abiola won June 12 1993 presidential poll
Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has publicly acknowledged that the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Babangida’s revelation was contained in his autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, launched in Abuja today, February 20, 2025.
As quoted by the book reviewer, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Babangida admitted that Abiola, who contested under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), secured both the majority of votes and the required geographical spread to be declared president.
“There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida stated in the book.
He described the annulment of the election as the most challenging decision of his life but expressed relief that former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously recognized Abiola’s victory and honored him with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) title, which is reserved for Nigerian presidents.
Abiola declared himself president despite Babangida’s action and was detained by former military dictator, Sani Abacha after refusing to recognize the Abacha junta as the legitimate Nigerian government. Abiola died in detention weeks after Abacha died.
