June 12 annulment: IBB apologised privately to us – Lekan Abiola

One of the sons of the late Moshood Abiola, the declared victor of the canceled June 12, 1993, presidential election, Lekan Abiola, disclosed that General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), the former military president, had expressed regret to the family for calling off the historic elections.

Lekan revealed this on Thursday during the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium and the book launch preparations for "MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy," which were held in Lagos.

Speaking to reporters outside the occasion, Lekan said the family was relieved that Babangida had publicly acknowledged and apologized.

"We encountered IBB after returning from the United States of America, and he privately apologized to us. He did what he had done secretly in public when he came out to apologize for calling off the election and admitting that MKO had won. He always sends someone to come commemorate the June 12 event on his behalf.

He also emphasized the public apology's symbolic importance, calling it long overdue.

"There was nothing we could do about the private apologies prior to this. It feels like someone apologized privately after punching you in public.

He went on to say that Babangida's public acknowledgement helped to dispel long-standing rumors and disagreement and clarify the validity of MKO Abiola's election victory.

“For him to come out publicly to admit that MKO did win the election, makes us feel at ease publicly. This is because some people are always saying: ‘Are we even sure he won the election?’ But now, he (Babangida) has released the full results. Officially, it is now known that MKO won the election, and that is no longer a controversy.”

The late Abiola’s children begged President Bola Tinubu to enact a bill that will officially make June 12 Democracy Day, such that it will become a law and not be subjected to cancellation in the near future.