Thirty-two years after his controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Nigeria’s former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, admitted for the first time that the late philanthropist and democratic hero Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election.
The startling revelation was contained in Babangida’s 420-page book titled, ‘A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida’ which was launched in Abuja on Thursday with continental and national dignitaries in attendance.
The book reviewer, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the “evil genius” as Babangida is nicknamed answered the question whether Abiola won the June 12 election or not in his book.
In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honour of Abiola and to remind all Nigerians of one of the freest elections in the nation’s history. The day is to celebrate the ideals of democracy since the beginning of the Fourth Republic 25 years ago.