Former Nigerian military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has officially acknowledged that Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. This admission comes in his newly released autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” launched today at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, revealed that IBB’s autobiography directly addresses the long-standing controversy surrounding the annulled 1993 election. The book includes detailed election results as an appendix, which IBB cites as evidence that led to his revised conclusion about Abiola’s victory.
This admission marks a dramatic shift from IBB’s previous stance, as he had earlier suggested that Abiola might not have won the election. In a particularly noteworthy section of the book, IBB expresses regret, indicating that he would handle the situation differently if given another chance.
The June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections, was annulled by IBB’s military regime, leading to a significant political crisis in Nigeria’s history. This new acknowledgment, coming over three decades after the event, adds an important perspective to one of the most controversial chapters in Nigeria’s political history.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
