Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd) has finally admitted that the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, controversially annulled by his administration, was actually won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
He made this revelation 32 years after the annulment, adding however that it was annulled in national interest.
The startling revelation which shocked several people, was contained in Babangida’s 420-page book titled, ‘A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida’ which was launched in Abuja on Thursday with continental and national dignitaries in attendance.
The book reviewer, former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said the “evil genius” and “Maradona” as Babangida was nicknamed, answered the question as to whether Abiola won the June 12 election or not, in his book.
“Although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon further 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,” Babangida admitted in his book.
Babangida’s admittance lent credence to the initial submission of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who said years ago that if not for “bad belle” Nigerian colloquial for bad blood, MKO Abiola would have become Nigeria’s President after the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election.
The credibility or otherwise of the June 12, 1993 election has dominated political discussions for decades with pro-democracy movement National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and regional socio-political group Afenifere relentlessly demanding remedy for the “injustice” done to Abiola and the Yoruba people of the South-West zone of Nigeria.
As a sort of remedy or compensation, in 2018, then President Muhammadu Buhari moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honour of Abiola and to remind all Nigerians of one of the freest elections in the nation’s history. The day is to celebrate the ideals of democracy since the beginning of the Fourth Republic 25 years ago.
Babangida’s book launch has some of the most decorated men in attendance including former Presidents and Heads of State: Goodluck Jonathan, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as former Vice-Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo.
President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima were also present.
Billionaire businesspersons including, Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Folorunsho Alakija, among others, were not left out of the roll call of the who’s-who.
While former President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event, Obasanjo was conspicuously absent from the book launch.
IBB, as he is fondly called, was the president during that election which was widely believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola. The election was annulled without the announcement of a winner.
But 32 years after the election, Babangida said he acted to protect the country’s interest, being doubted.
He said this in Abuja on Thursday during the launch of his autobiography “A Journey in Service”.
He said, “as the leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken by me. And June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes, oversights, and missteps happen in quick succession but I say in my book, in all occasions, we acted in extreme national interest,” the former military president told the gathering.”
