Thirty-two years after his controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Nigeria’s former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, admitted for the first time that the late philanthropist and democracy hero Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election.
The startling revelation 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.
“Upon closer examination of the original collated figure from the 110 polling booths nationwide, it was clear that he satisfied the two main requirements for winning the presidential election – mainly majority votes and geographical spread – having obtained 8,128,720 against Tofa’s 5,848,247 votes and securing the mandatory of one-third of the votes cast.”
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 annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election between Abiola and his main challenger Bashir Tofa sparked protests and unrest nationwide. Abiola was not only denied his mandate but he was imprisoned by the military regime after he declared himself as president buoyed by the confidence of victory.
The credibility or otherwise of the poll has dominated political discussions for decades with pro-democracy movement National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and regional socio-political group Afenifere relentlessly demanding a remedy for the “injustice” done to Abiola and the Yoruba people of the South-West zone of Nigeria.
