Finally, IBB admits Abiola won June 12, 1993 election in autobiography

Former military head of state, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has publicly confirmed that the late Chief Moshood Abiola won the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.

This revelation is documented in Babangida’s newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, which was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday.

During the book launch, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who served as the book’s reviewer, highlighted Babangida’s candid acknowledgment of Abiola’s electoral victory.

According to Babangida, Abiola, who ran under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), met all constitutional requirements by securing both the majority vote and the necessary geographical spread to be declared the legitimate winner.

Babangida described the annulment of the election as the most difficult decision of his life.

“There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida admitted.

His disclosure sheds new light on one of Nigeria’s most controversial political events, which led to widespread protests, political turmoil, and the eventual transition to civilian rule in 1999. The annulment, often attributed to political and military pressures, remains a contentious issue in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Babangida also expressed relief that a later administration, under President Muhammadu Buhari, acknowledged Abiola’s victory.

In 2018, Buhari posthumously conferred Nigeria’s highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), on Abiola—a title traditionally reserved for elected presidents.

The acknowledgment of Abiola’s victory by Babangida has reignited discussions about the events leading to the annulment and the broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

Political analysts believe this confirmation adds a significant chapter to the country’s history, further solidifying Abiola’s place as a symbol of democratic struggle in Nigeria.

As reactions continue to pour in, many Nigerians see this revelation as a long-overdue admission of historical truth, while others call for further measures to redress the injustice of the annulled election.