“No doubt in my mind MKO Abiola won June 12 election”; Babangida Admit
20 February, 2025,
Oni Kehinde
Barely 32 years after the annulment of June 12 1993 Presidential election which was generally believed to be most freest and fairess election in Nigeria won by Mooshud Kashimawo Abiola.
The force behind annulment of the election, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida formally admitted an express regret for annulling the election and denied ABIOLA his mandate.
The historical fact were revealed by former vice president Yemi Osinbajo while reviewing the book autobiography of former military head of state general Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on Thursday at Abuja.
Former vice president Osinbajo emphasized the facts, said former military head of state general Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) admitted that the late MKO Abiola won the June 12 election. Babangida maintained that the late MKO Abiola who contested the presidential election on the platform of the social democratic party (SDP) secured majority of votes and the geographical spread of the requirements to be the president, he described June 12 election as the most challenging aspect of his life, the vice president quoted from Babangida’s book “there was no doubt in my mind MKO Abiola won the election he satisfied all the requirements” he said .
He (Babangida) however said that he was happy that President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged that MKO Abiola won the election and honored him with the greatest national title of Grand Commandant of the Federal Republic ( GCFR) which is for president .
In the book, Titled ” The journey in Service” the autobiography of the former Military Head of State, Babangida, he (IBB) also touches on other significant events during his tenure, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC) controversy and the tragic Lagos plane crash that claimed the lives of more than 100 military officers, Which believed to have masterminded by his regime.
A significant highlight of the occasion was the review of the autobiography by former Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, who provided insights into Nigeria’s turbulent military and political history, as chronicled by Babangida. In his remarks, Osinbajo referenced the complex dynamics of military coups in Nigeria, noting how Yakubu Gowon was overthrown by Olusegun Obasanjo , and how Babangida himself led the coup that toppled Muhammadu Buhari in 1985.
In a surprising and reflective moment, Osinbajo while delivering Former President Buhari goodwill message, acknowledged this chapter of history with grace. ” I celebrate the man who overthrew me and detained me for three years”, drawing both laughter and applause from the audience.
Rulers World News gathered that, The June 12 election was a pivotal moment in Nigerian history, marking a rare instance of Nigerians uniting across ethnic and regional lines to elect a president.
MKO Abiola’s victory was widely recognized, but the election was annulled by Babangida’s regime, sparking widespread protests and unrest.
Babangida’s admits and regret over the annulment is a significant acknowledgment of the harm caused by his actions. However, it also raises questions about the motivations behind his decision to annul the election and the legacy of his rule, which the book appeared blanks on it.
