Abuja, Nigeria
Former head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, says the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election was won by the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
The former military leader made the revelation thirty-two years after the election was controversially annulled during his book launched in Abuja on Thursday.
The 420-page memoir titled, ‘A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida’ chronicled Babangida’s times as a military leader.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who reviewed the book said the “evil genius” and “Maradona” as Babangida was nicknamed answered the question as to whether Abiola won the June 12 election or not in his book.
“Although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon further 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,” Babangida admitted in his book.
“Upon closer examination of the original collated figure from the 110 polling booths nationwide, it was clear that he satisfied the two main requirements for winning the presidential election – mainly majority votes and geographical spread – having obtained 8,128,720 against Tofa’s 5,848,247 votes and securing the mandatory of one-third of the votes cast in 28 states of the Federation including Abuja.”
In his address, Babangida, popularly known as IBB, explained to the audience that the annulment of the election was in the “highest national interest.”
“As the leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken by me. And June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes, oversights, and missteps happen in quick succession but I say in my book, in all matters, we acted in extreme national interest so that Nigeria could survive,” he said.
Babangida’s admission gave weight to the earlier statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had said years ago that, if not for “bad belle” – a Nigerian term for bad blood – MKO Abiola would have become Nigeria’s President after the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
