Former military leader General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has stated that the late Chief Moshood Abiola was the legitimate victor of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. According to sources, Babangida revealed this information in his autobiography, "A Journey in Service," which was released in Abuja on Thursday, February 20, 2025. During the book review conducted by former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Babangida stated that MKO Abiola, who ran under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), not only received the most votes, but also met the geographical distribution requirements to assume the presidency.
He regarded the annulment of the June 12 election as the most difficult experience of his life. "There was no doubt in my mind that MKO Abiola had won the election. "He met all the requirements," Babangida stated. He also expressed happiness that President Muhammadu Buhari has posthumously recognised Abiola as the election's genuine winner by bestowing the coveted national title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which has typically been reserved for presidents.Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan has referred to Ibrahim Babangida as one of Nigeria's most charismatic leaders. Speaking at the book presentation in Abuja, Jonathan complimented Babangida for telling his tale through his memoir, emphasising that Nigeria's history would be incomplete without him. He stated, "So Ibrahim Bagandiga, as we all know, is one of the most charismatic figures in this country. He is someone to whom people now travel as if on a pilgrimage to consult. We praise God for giving him the grace and knowledge to continue mentoring others.In terms of leadership, Nigerians are aware of your major contributions to the country's infrastructure development and social mobilisation. We cannot chronicle Nigeria's history without include a reasonable portion of your tenure as President of Nigeria. You have done well!" He noted that the former president's book launch marks an important contribution to documenting the country's rich past.