Babangida Admits Abiola Won June 12 Election, Calls Annulment His Toughest Decision

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), has admitted that the late Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election but described its annulment as the most difficult decision of his life.

Babangida made this revelation in his autobiography, A Journey in Service, which was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday.

Reviewing the book at the event, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo quoted Babangida as saying that Abiola, who contested on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, met all constitutional requirements, including securing the majority of votes and the necessary geographical spread, to be declared president.

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

The former military ruler noted that while the annulment of the election remained a defining moment in his career, he took solace in the fact that former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously honored Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic title, a recognition reserved for Nigerian presidents.