Babangida Admits MKO Abiola Won June 12 Election After 32 Years

Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, has made a dramatic U-turn by admitting for the first time that MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election. This revelation is contained in his 420-page memoir, A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida, launched on Thursday in Abuja with several dignitaries in attendance.
Babangida’s Revelation
For decades, Babangida, often referred to as “Maradona” and the “Evil Genius,” avoided confirming whether Abiola won the annulled election. However, in his book, he finally provided clarity.
“Although I previously suggested that Abiola may not have won, a closer review of detailed election results included in this book leaves no doubt that MKO Abiola was the legitimate winner,” Babangida admitted.
Election Results Confirm Victory
Babangida’s book presents election figures showing that Abiola polled 8,128,720 votes, defeating Bashir Tofa, who garnered 5,848,247 votes. Abiola also met the constitutional requirement by securing one-third of the votes in 28 states, including Abuja.
“As the leader of the military government, I accept full responsibility for the decisions made during my tenure. The annulment of June 12 happened under my leadership. While some decisions were errors in judgment, they were taken in the belief that they served Nigeria’s national interest,” he wrote.
Obasanjo’s Earlier Assertion
Babangida’s admission aligns with the past remarks of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had said that Abiola would have become Nigeria’s president if not for ‘bad blood’ among the elite.
The Path to Democracy
The 1993 election annulment triggered nationwide unrest, protests, and international condemnation. After stepping down, Babangida installed an interim government led by Ernest Shonekan, with Sani Abacha as Chief of Defence Staff. Three months later, Abacha overthrew Shonekan in a palace coup, tightening military rule.
Buoyed by clear evidence of his electoral victory, Abiola declared himself president. The military imprisoned him, and under Abacha’s regime, he died in questionable circumstances on July 7, 1998. His wife, Kudirat Abiola, was also assassinated in 1996.
After Abacha’s death, General Abdulsalami Abubakar transitioned Nigeria to democracy, leading to the 1999 election of Olusegun Obasanjo, which ushered in the Fourth Republic.
Was Justice Served?
For decades, groups like NADECO and Afenifere demanded justice for Abiola and the Yoruba people. In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari officially recognized June 12 as Democracy Day and posthumously honored Abiola as a former president.
Reflecting on this, Babangida wrote, “Looking back, June 12 was the most challenging moment of my life. If given another chance, I would have acted differently.”
Dignitaries at the Book Launch
The book launch brought together notable figures, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo. President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were also present.
Business magnates like Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Folorunsho Alakija attended, as well as representatives for former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Interestingly, Babangida played a key role in the 1985 coup that ousted Buhari but later orchestrated the 1993 annulment, shaping Nigeria’s political history in profound ways.