Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, has declared that the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola was annulled when he travelled.
He also said the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, led the opposition against Abiola.
Babangida revealed these at the unveiling of his book, “A Journey in Service,” and the launch of his presidential library in Abuja, on Thursday.
He admitted for the first time, through the book reviewer, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), that Abiola won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, almost 32 years ago.
He stated that the late Abiola, who contested the election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), secured the majority of votes cast.
He also noted that Abiola, a philanthropist and business magnate, achieved the required geographical spread to be declared president.
The former military president described the June 12 presidential election annulment as the most challenging aspect of his life.
“There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida said.
He, however, said that he was happy that former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged that Abiola won the election and honoured him with the greatest national title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), reserved only for presidents.
Babangida said he was in Katsina State when the annulment of the election was announced by the Press Secretary of his second-in-command without his knowledge or permission.
He revealed that he later discovered that the opposition to the June 12 election was led by Abacha, his Chief of Defence Staff, who later became the military Head of State.
Amid the ensuing crisis, Babangida stepped down as president in August 1993 and installed an Interim National Government (ING) led by the late Chief Ernest Shonekan, whom Abacha ousted in November 1993.
Abacha later detained Abiola after he declared himself president.
Babangida, who announced the annulment of the election in a national broadcast on June 23, 1993, stated that Abacha had become a dominant force in a ‘factionalised’ military, making it difficult to remove him after stepping down from power.
The event was attended by former presidents, including Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, bank executives, traditional rulers, military chiefs and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
