Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB),a former Nigerian military President has said late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election in his autobiography.
The June 12 election has been a heated topic with several accounts of the events narrated by different parties.
According to reports, in his autobiography: “A
Journey in Service,” which was launched in Abuja, on Thursday, February 20, the former Nigerian leader said he was convinced that Abiola won.
This is according to Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, who reviewed the book.
“He also answers the question of 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.”
IBB Would Have Handled Election Differently
In addition, the former Vice-President quoted IBB to have said, given another chance, he would handle the events of the June 12 election differently.
Abiola, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election adjudged as Nigeria’s freest, was up against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
The results of the election were trickling in when the military regime ordered the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) under the leadership of late Professor Humphrey Nwosu to halt the exercise.
Also Read: Ibrahim Babangida Book Launch: How Nigerians Will Forever Remember IBB
Furthermore, in his book, Babangida was quoted to have said he was happy that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged Abiola and honoured him with the greatest national title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
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