By President Bola Tinubu on Thursday praised former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, for his “unusual courage and patriotism” in admitting that the late M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey In Service, and the fundraising for the IBB Presidential Library Project, Tinubu commended the former leader for acknowledging a critical moment in Nigeria’s history.
For the first time in 32 years, Babangida confirmed that Abiola had won the historic election based on collated results, a statement that puts to rest decades of speculation and debate.
The annulment of the election in 1993 triggered a political crisis, marking one of the most controversial moments in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Babangida’s admission is seen as a significant moment, as it comes from the man who oversaw the election and its eventual annulment.
His acknowledgment reignites discussions on Nigeria’s democratic struggles and the lasting impact of June 12 on the nation’s political landscape.
