Abiola’s Son: IBB Privately Apologised to Our Family Over June 12 Annulment
Abiola’s Son: IBB Privately Apologised to Our Family Over June 12 Annulment
Lekan Abiola, son of the late Moshood Abiola—the widely regarded winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election—has revealed that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), privately apologised to the family for nullifying the landmark election.
He made this known on Thursday during the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium and the unveiling preparations for an upcoming book titled “MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy”, held in Lagos.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the event, Lekan stated that the family felt a sense of relief following Babangida’s public acknowledgement and apology.
“We returned from the United States of America, we have met IBB and he has apologised privately to us. When he came out publicly to say that he was sorry for annulling the election and that MKO won the election, he did what he had done privately in public. Every year, he always sends someone to come and represent him here on the June 12 occasion.”
He also emphasised the symbolic significance of the public apology, describing it as long overdue.
Before now, for the private apology, there was nothing we could do about that. It is as though someone punched you in public and said sorry in private.”
He added that Babangida’s public admission helped to clarify the legitimacy of MKO Abiola’s electoral victory, putting to rest longstanding doubts and controversy.
“For him to publicly acknowledge that MKO truly won the election gives us a sense of relief,” Lekan said. “People have often questioned whether he actually won, but now that Babangida has released the full results, it’s officially confirmed—there’s no more controversy surrounding it.”
According to a report on Thursday, the late Abiola’s children have also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to enact a bill that would formally establish June 12 as Democracy Day in law, ensuring it cannot be reversed or cancelled in the future.
