32 years after the country was thrown into political turmoil over the annulment of the June 12 presidential election, former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has confessed his error in stopping the declaration of the result a few days into collation.
He has now said the election was won by late billionaire, Basorun MKO Abiola.
Many Nigerians, including Abiola, his wife, Kudirat lost their lives in the pursuit of the actualisation of the arrested mandate.
In his autobiography launched in Abuja this Thursday, he was quoted in the book, “A journey in Service”, as saying: “There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements.”
The former military strongman reiterated his position that the annulment was the most difficult decision of his career.
His admission is likely to put pay to Abiola being presumed to be the winner to that landmark election, considered to be the freest and fairest in the annals of the country’s political development.
Book reviewer and former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, noted Babangida’s affirmation in the book that Abiola secured both the majority of votes and the required geographical spread to be declared president.
Babangida was delighted that former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously recognised Abiola’s victory by awarding him the prestigious Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), a title reserved for presidents.
Curiously, Buhari was missing at the launch which was witnessed by living former heads of state. He was, however, represented.
