Babangida Apologised for Annulling June 12 Election — MKO Abiola’s Son

Lekan Abiola, son of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola — winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election — has revealed that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), has formally apologised to the Abiola family for the decision to void the historic poll.

Lekan made the disclosure on Thursday during the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium and the pre-launch event for the book “MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy”, held in Lagos and organised by the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND).

He also urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the Federal Government settles all outstanding entitlements owed to his late father, adding that successive administrations had failed to do so.

Speaking to journalists at the event, Lekan Abiola said Babangida’s public apology had brought relief to the family and helped end lingering controversy over the outcome of the election.

“We returned from the United States and met with IBB; he privately apologised to us. But when he later came out publicly to say he was sorry for annulling the election — and acknowledged that MKO won — he simply confirmed in public what he had already told us in private,” Lekan said.

“Before now, it was like someone punching you in public and only saying sorry in private. His public admission gave us peace of mind. For years, some people questioned whether MKO truly won. But now that IBB has released the full results, it is officially clear that MKO won — and that is no longer in doubt.”

He also noted that Babangida routinely sends a representative to the family’s annual June 12 commemoration events.

Meanwhile, the author of the forthcoming book, Dr. Layo Adeniyi, said the 440-page volume provides a comprehensive account of Abiola’s life and legacy.

“This book captures everything you would want to know about MKO Abiola — from his background and business rise to his political journey,” Dr. Adeniyi said.
“It traces his roots and early political involvement, starting with the defunct National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), followed by his time in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), and leading to the historic June 12 election. No election in Nigeria has ever been as free and fair as that one — and this story deserves to be properly told, especially at a time when the country is grappling with insecurity and disunity.”