Alhaji Lekan Abiola, son of the late Chief MKO Abiola, on Thursday disclosed that former military leader General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) has apologised to the family for annulling Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The revelation came during the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium and unveiling of the forthcoming book MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy in Lagos, organized by the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy. Lekan called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the Federal Government fulfills all outstanding entitlements owed to his late father.
Addressing journalists, Lekan described Babangida’s public apology as bringing closure to the family after decades of controversy.
“Ever since we returned from the United States, we have met with IBB, and he apologised to us privately. When he later came out publicly to say he was sorry for annulling the election and acknowledged that MKO won, he simply repeated in public what he had said privately. Every year, he sends someone to represent him at the June 12 events,” Lekan stated.
He added: “Before now, the private apology didn’t go far. It felt like being punched in public and receiving a quiet ‘sorry’ behind closed doors. His public admission that MKO won the election brings us peace and puts to rest any lingering doubts. Some people used to question whether he really won, but now that IBB has released the full results, it is officially acknowledged—there’s no more controversy.”
The event also featured the preview of a comprehensive biography on the democracy icon. Author Dr. Layo Adeniyi revealed:
“The book spans about 440 pages, and I can assure you, there’s nothing you want to know about Abiola that you won’t find in it. It addresses the current issues of insecurity and national disunity.”
Adeniyi explained the book’s scope: “It explores Abiola’s roots, background, and rise in business. It also chronicles his early political journey from the defunct National Convention of Nigerian Citizens, through the National Party of Nigeria, to his historic election. Most importantly, it tells the story of the freest and fairest election Nigeria has ever had.”
The symposium reignited calls for the Federal Government to fully honor Abiola’s legacy, with Lekan emphasizing that previous administrations failed to settle all entitlements due to the family of Nigeria’s most celebrated democratic martyr.
