The late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election, former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has confirmed.
He stated this during the public presentation of his autobiography: “A Journey in Service,” in Abuja, on Thursday, where he said he was convinced that Abiola won the June 12 poll.
In his book, Babangida expressed delight that former President Muhammadu Buhari recognised Abiola and awarded him a National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, said: “He (IBB) also answers the question whether Abiola actually won the June 12 election, and I quote him, ‘although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results, which are published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections.”
Osinbajo quoted IBB to have said, given another chance, he would handle events of June 12 election differently.
Abiola who was the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) contested the election adjudged as Nigeria’s freest, against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
The results of the election were being collated when the military regime directed the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) under the leadership of late Professor Humphrey Nwosu to halt the collation which was subsequently annulled.
