Nigeria’s former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, has made a stunning admission 32 years after annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In his newly released memoir, “A Journey in Service,” Babangida acknowledges that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election.
Babangida’s revelation confirms what many Nigerians have long believed.
The June 12 election was widely regarded as one of the country’s freest and fairest. Abiola, a philanthropist and democracy hero, defeated his main challenger, Bashir Tofa, securing 8,128,720 votes to Tofa’s 5,848,247.
The former military leader takes full responsibility for the annulment, describing it as his “most regrettable” decision. He admits that, in hindsight, he would have handled the situation differently.
Babangida’s admission has lent credence to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s claim that Abiola would have become Nigeria’s president if not for “bad blood”.
The annulment led to widespread protests, unrest, and Abiola’s eventual imprisonment by the military regime of Sani Abacha.
In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari honored Abiola’s memory by moving Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12.
Babangida has expressed gratitude for this recognition, stating that he regrets the pain caused by his actions.
