Falana: Nigerians have recognized Abiola as President since 1993

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has stated that Nigerians have long acknowledged the late Chief MKO Abiola as a former president, emphasizing that this recognition has been in place since 1993.

Abiola was the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was annulled by the then-military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida. Three decades later, Babangida, in his recently launched memoir, admitted that Abiola had indeed won the election but claimed the annulment was necessary in the “national interest.”

Since Babangida’s admission, calls have intensified for President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize Abiola as a former president. However, Falana insists that Nigerians had already accorded Abiola that status long before now.

“Since 1993, he has been recognized by the people of Nigeria as an elected president,” Falana said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday. “Those now acknowledging it are only catching up with history.”

Among those calling for Abiola’s official recognition is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who urged the federal government to formally declare him a past president. Speaking before the Senate plenary on Tuesday, Kalu argued that Abiola’s portrait should be placed alongside those of other former leaders in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Since Abiola won, his picture should be placed among Nigeria’s past presidents,” Kalu said. “I commend former President Buhari for honoring him, but I also appeal to President Tinubu to officially recognize him and position his image where it belongs. This would bring some relief to his family.”

In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously conferred on Abiola the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Nigeria’s highest national honor traditionally reserved for heads of state. Abiola’s running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, was also awarded the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON). Additionally, Buhari moved Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honor of the historic election.

At the time, Buhari justified the decision, saying, “June 12, 1993, was the day when millions of Nigerians expressed their democratic will in what remains the freest, fairest, and most peaceful election since our Independence.”