February 20, (THEWILL) – Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has admitted that late Chief Moshood Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election conducted by his government.
General Babangida’s public admission is contained in his autobiography titled: “A Journey In Service”, which was launched in Abuja on Thursday.
The event, held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, was chaired by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, and attended by President Bola Tinubu; former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, and Arc. Namadi Sambo, among others.
Providing insights into the book, the reviewer, former Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, said General Babangida acknowledged that the late MKO Abiola, who contested the presidential election on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) secured the majority of votes and the geographical spread to be the president.
Osinbajo said the autobiographer described the June 12 election annulment as the most challenging aspect of his life.
“He (Babangida) 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”, he said.
The former military President acknowledged the June 12 political saga as a mistake which occured under his watch, describing the era ‘as Mistakes, oversight and missteps which happened in quick succession.’
According to him “undoubtedly credible, free and fair elections were held on June 12, 1993, however, the tragic irony of history remains that the administration that devised a near perfect electoral system and conducted those near perfect elections could not complete the process.
“That accident of history is most regrettable the nation is entitled to expect my impression of regret.”
Babangida, however, said he was happy that President Muhammadu Buhari later acknowledged that Abiola won the election and honoured him with the greatest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which is reserved for Presidents.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Babangida acknowledged that his administration’s actions disrupted the nation’s transition to civilian rule but emphasised that the country ultimately overcame the setback.
“We acted in the supreme national interest so that Nigeria could survive. Our nation’s march to democracy was interrupted, a fact that I deeply regret, but Nigeria survived, and democracy is still alive, a testament to our regime and commitment to progress.
“This book is part of my personal story of that encounter with national history. I did not travel alone. I undertook the challenging walk of leadership in the company of many patriots”, he added.
