Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, has for the first time publicly admitted that late philanthropist and democracy hero, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
This revelation is contained in Babangida’s newly launched 420-page memoir, A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida, which was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday, attended by top dignitaries from Nigeria and across Africa.
Reviewing the book, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo highlighted that Babangida, often referred to as “Maradona” and “Evil Genius,” had finally answered a long-debated question regarding the election outcome.
“Although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won, upon further reflection and closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results published in this book, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won,” Babangida admitted.
According to the book, Abiola polled 8,128,720 votes against Bashir Tofa’s 5,848,247 votes and secured the required one-third of votes in 28 states, including Abuja, fulfilling the constitutional requirements for victory.
Despite acknowledging Abiola’s victory, Babangida defended his government’s decision to annul the election, describing it as an action taken in the “extreme national interest.”
“As the leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken by me. Mistakes and missteps happened in quick succession, but in all matters, we acted in extreme national interest so that Nigeria could survive,” he stated.
Babangida’s admission reinforces past remarks by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who once claimed that “bad belle” (a colloquial term for bad blood) was the reason Abiola was denied the presidency after his historic victory.
The annulment of the June 12, 1993, election sparked widespread protests and political unrest
