Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has stated that Nigerians have long acknowledged the late MKO Abiola as a former president, regardless of any official recognition.
Abiola emerged victorious in the 1993 presidential election, which was later annulled by the then-military leader, Ibrahim Babangida.
Decades later, Babangida admitted in his memoir that Abiola had indeed won but justified the annulment as being in the “national interest.”
Following Babangida’s revelation, there have been growing calls for President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize Abiola as a former Nigerian president. However, Falana maintains that such recognition is unnecessary because Nigerians have always viewed Abiola as their elected leader.
“Since 1993, he has been recognized by the people of Nigeria as an elected president,” Falana said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday. “Those attempting to rewrite history are only now coming to terms with this fact.”
Among those advocating for Abiola’s official recognition is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who on Tuesday urged the federal government to posthumously declare him a former president.
“Abiola won the election, and President Tinubu should formally recognize him,” Kalu, representing Abia North, said before the Senate plenary session.
He further argued that Abiola’s portrait should be placed alongside those of past leaders in the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Since he was the rightful winner, his picture should be displayed among Nigeria’s past presidents,” Kalu stated.
“Former President Buhari honored him with a national award, but I urge President Tinubu to take it a step further and place his image where it belongs. This will bring closure to his family and supporters.”
In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously awarded Abiola the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Nigeria’s highest national honor.
Abiola’s running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, also received the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) title.
Additionally, Buhari moved Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12—the date of Abiola’s election—to honor his legacy.
“June 12, 1993, was the day Nigerians overwhelmingly expressed their democratic will in what was widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in our history,” Buhari said at the time.