IBB Apologized for Annulling June 12 Election – MKO Abiola’s Son Reveals

Lekan Abiola, son of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, has revealed that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), has apologized to the family for annulling the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.

He made this known during the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium and book pre-launch event for “MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy,” organized by the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) in Lagos.

Lekan explained that Babangida initially apologized to the family in private but later made a public admission that MKO Abiola won the 1993 election.

“We returned from the U.S. and met with IBB, and he apologised privately. But when he publicly admitted that he was sorry for annulling the election and acknowledged that MKO won, it brought us relief,” he said.

He added that Babangida’s public statement helped end long-standing doubts over the true outcome of the election. “For years, people questioned whether MKO truly won. Now that IBB has released the full results and confirmed it himself, it is no longer up for debate,” he added.

Lekan also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all outstanding entitlements owed to his late father are paid, lamenting that previous administrations had failed to honor MKO’s sacrifices fully.

Speaking on the forthcoming book, the author Dr. Layo Adeniyi said the 440-page publication offers a comprehensive insight into Abiola’s life — covering his roots, business empire, political journey, and the historic 1993 election.

“No election in Nigeria’s history has been as free and fair as June 12. This book tells that story,” Adeniyi stated.