Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has admitted for the first time that the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Babangida tells his side of the story in a newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, unveiled in Abuja on Thursday, February 20.
According to the book reviewer, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Babangida acknowledged that Abiola, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, met all constitutional requirements to be declared Nigeria’s president.
“There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida stated.
According to him, the forces against the June 12 election were led by Sani Abacha, his chief of defence staff who later became military head of state.
The former military leader described the annulment of the election as the most difficult decision of his life.
However, he expressed satisfaction that President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously honoured Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), a title reserved for presidents.
The June 12, 1993, election remains one of Nigeria’s most controversial electoral events.
In one of its past interviews, Babaginda, who was the military ruler then, cited the possibility of a deadly coup and pressure from both the military and civilians as the reason for the annulment of the election.
However, the annulment led to protests and political unrest across Nigeria, including the resignation of Babangida, giving way for an interim civilian government.
Often regarded as the country’s freest and fairest election, Babangida’s regime annulled it, leading to nationwide protests and political instability.
Abiola was later arrested by the military government of General Sani Abacha after declaring himself president. He died in detention in 1998 under mysterious circumstances.
