Thirty-two years after the 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 democracy hero Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election.
The startling revelation was contained in Babangida’s 420-page memoir titled, ‘A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida’. The book was launched in Abuja on Thursday with continental and national dignitaries in attendance.
Book Review Highlights
The book reviewer, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said Babangida, nicknamed “evil genius” and “Maradona,” 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 one-third of the votes cast in 28 states of the Federation including Abuja.”
Babangida Takes Responsibility
During his address, Babangida, famously known as IBB, told the gathering that the annulment of the poll was in “extreme 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 admittance lent credence to the initial submission of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who said years ago that if not for “bad belle” – Nigerian colloquial for bad blood, MKO Abiola would have become Nigeria’s President after the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Book Launch
During the public launch of his autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” IBB received nearly ₦17bn in donations from Nigeria’s business elite.
Aliko Dangote led the contributions with an ₦8 billion pledge—broken down into ₦2 billion per year for four years—followed by Abdulsamad Rabiu’s ₦5 billion, with other notable figures also contributing. Folorunsho Alakija.
Engr (Chief) Arthur Eze of Oranto Group donated ₦500 million and a few others also made donations but did not disclose the amount publicly.
The event, hosted by the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, celebrated IBB’s legacy and marked a milestone in public support. The book is now available at bookshops like @Rovingheights: ₦40,000 for the paperback and ₦50,000 for the hardback.
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