Lekan Abiola, one of the sons of the late business mogul and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, has revealed that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), has apologised to the family over the annulment of the historic polls.
Speaking at the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium held in Lagos on Thursday, under the auspices of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), Lekan disclosed that the apology, which was first rendered in private, has since been followed by a public admission by Babangida that the election was indeed won by Abiola.
“We met IBB after returning from the United States. He apologised privately, but later came out to say publicly that he was sorry for annulling the election and that MKO won it,” Lekan said. “Before now, his apology was like someone punching you in public and apologising in private. His public admission has brought some relief, especially now that he has released the full results. It’s no longer in doubt that MKO won.”
He further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the Federal Government pays all outstanding entitlements owed to his late father, lamenting that successive governments have failed to do so.
Call to Immortalise June 12
Also speaking at the event, another son of the late icon, Hameen Abiola, urged the Federal Government to permanently institutionalise June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day through legislation. This, he said, would ensure that future generations understand and appreciate the significance of the date and the sacrifices made by their father.
“We thank former President Muhammadu Buhari for conferring the GCFR on our father. But beyond that, we want a permanent legal backing to preserve June 12 as Democracy Day. This will prevent future leaders from abolishing it or downplaying its historical significance,” Hameen stated during the annual visit of the Ogun State government to the Abiola family home in Abeokuta.
Falana, Gani Adams, Others Demand Restructuring
The 32nd anniversary of the June 12 election also witnessed renewed calls for true federalism as the solution to Nigeria’s deepening crises. At the 25th edition of the OPC Commemoration of June 12, with the theme "June 12 as a Catalyst for National Development: True Federalism and Nigeria’s Integration", prominent figures including human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Gani Adams, and Women Arise President Joe Okei-Odumakin, called for urgent political restructuring.
In his address, Gani Adams said: “Nigeria is in crisis because of resistance to restructuring. In honour of MKO Abiola and other martyrs, I say that this country will be restructured, whether anybody likes it or not. Without restructuring, we cannot guarantee peace or security.”
Joe Okei-Odumakin demanded formal recognition of MKO Abiola as a past President, urging that his image be displayed in relevant government offices. She also linked insecurity to the flawed federal structure, insisting on a people-oriented constitution.
Representing Falana, Dr. Wale Adeoye criticised Nigeria’s current constitution, which he described as a major obstacle to national development. He called for a truly representative constitution to replace the existing one, which he said lacks legitimacy and inclusiveness.
Afenifere: Nigeria Still Haunted by June 12
Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, also weighed in on the June 12 anniversary, stating that Nigeria continues to grapple with the ghosts of the annulled election. In a statement by its leader, Oba Ladipo Olaitan, the group insisted that only a holistic restructuring of the polity could rescue the nation from continued retrogression.
“June 12 reminds us that Nigeria remains a mere geographical expression. Until we undertake a total reconfiguration of the country, the injustice of 1993 will linger. We call on President Tinubu and the political class to prioritise restructuring before the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
Oba Olaitan noted that the legacy of MKO Abiola and the democratic mandate he received were sabotaged by the military and their civilian collaborators, resulting in a democracy riddled with fundamental flaws.
As Nigerians commemorate June 12, the collective message from the Abiola family, civil society, and pro-democracy activists remains clear: for the country to move forward, it must acknowledge its past, honour its heroes, and restructure for a just and equitable future.
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