Why I stepped down for MKO Abiola in 1993—Atiku

Former Vice President and ex-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that his late political mentor, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, instructed him to step down for the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

Atiku made this revelation during an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie on Untold Stories, shedding light on a significant moment in Nigeria’s political history during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries.

According to Atiku, Yar’Adua’s instruction came after a late-night meeting in Jos, Plateau State, where the SDP convention was taking place.

He recounted how he had initially advised Abiola to travel to Jos, warning that if he didn’t, Babagana Kingibe, another strong contender, would likely win the primaries.

“I told him, ‘Look, if you don’t come to Jos, there is every likelihood that Kingibe is going to be elected, and I know you don’t want it. So you better come to Jos, no matter how late,’” Atiku recalled.

Abiola eventually made the trip from Kaduna to Jos, arriving in the early hours of the morning. Upon arrival, he held a crucial meeting at the residence of Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, but Atiku said he was not privy to the discussions that took place.

“At the meeting, Yar’Adua turned to me and said, ‘Turaki’—which was my traditional title. I responded, ‘Yes, sir.’ Then he said, ‘Step down for MKO Abiola.’ I said, ‘Okay, sir. I have stepped down.’”

Atiku further disclosed that despite stepping down, there were discussions about him becoming Abiola’s running mate.

However, several SDP governors opposed this, threatening to withdraw their support if he was chosen over Babagana Kingibe.

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The SDP primaries eventually saw MKO Abiola emerging as the party’s presidential candidate, with Kingibe as his running mate. The ticket later won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was widely regarded as the most credible in Nigeria’s history.

However, the election was controversially annulled by the then-military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB).

In a surprising turn of events, Babangida, in February 2025, expressed regret over the annulment of the 1993 election, admitting that it was free, fair, and credible. His comments reignited conversations about the country’s political history and the consequences of that decision.

Atiku’s latest revelation adds further depth to the historical account of the events leading up to the 1993 election and the internal power struggles within the SDP at the time.