Babangida reveals why MKO Abiola was denied Presidency

Former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) (rtd.), has disclosed that the formidable forces opposed to Chief MKO Abiola’s presidency would have eliminated him had he been officially declared the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, in Abuja, Babangida admitted that despite Abiola’s electoral victory, he feared that powerful enemies—some of whom pretended to be his allies—were plotting against him.

Reflecting on the controversial annulment of the June 12 election, Babangida justified his decision, stating that it was not just about denying Abiola his mandate but also about preventing potential chaos that could have engulfed Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, the forces gathered against him after the June 12 elections were so formidable that I was convinced that if he became President, he would be quickly eliminated by the same forces who pretended to be his friends,” IBB revealed.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi reacts as IBB admits MKO Abiola won June 12, 1993, election

He further explained that allowing Abiola to assume office could have led to a national crisis, possibly another civil war—something he was determined to avoid at all costs.

“While I accept that the unfortunate denial of his mandate amounted to a subversion of the will of the Nigerian people, I was petrified that if Abiola got killed, it could lead to a civil war.

“Having participated in one civil war, with all its horrors, pains, and devastation, I wasn’t prepared to see another.”

Babangida also expressed his satisfaction that the Muhammadu Buhari administration posthumously recognized MKO Abiola as a former Head of State, a move he described as a necessary step towards national reconciliation.

In what many consider a long-overdue acknowledgment, Babangida publicly admitted during the book launch that MKO Abiola was the rightful winner of the 1993 presidential election.

The former military leader also recounted some of the events leading to the annulment, stating that he deeply regretted the decision.

The annulment of the June 12 election—widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election—plunged the country into political turmoil, leading to years of military dictatorship and national instability.

Babangida’s revelations have reignited conversations about the true motivations behind the controversial annulment, the hidden forces that opposed Abiola’s presidency, and the lasting impact of the decision on Nigeria’s democratic journey.

With 2027 fast approaching, political analysts believe that Nigeria must learn from history to safeguard democracy, uphold electoral integrity, and prevent any recurrence of past injustices.