IBB Confirms Abiola Won June 12 Election, Raises N20 Billion for Presidential Library at Book Launch
Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has publicly expressed regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll. Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, *A Journey in Service*, in Abuja, Babangida took full responsibility for the annulment, acknowledging that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was the rightful winner of the election.
In a moment of reflection, Babangida stated: “I regret June 12. I accept full responsibility for the decisions taken. June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes and missteps occurred in quick succession.”
The event also served as a fundraising platform for the proposed IBB Presidential Library, with Nigerian elites, including top business executives and politicians, pledging approximately N20 billion in donations. The library, envisioned as a national institution, aims to preserve Nigeria’s arts, political, and military history, with a particular focus on Babangida’s eight-year rule.
**Key Donations and Dignitaries**
Billionaire industrialist and founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, topped the donor list with a pledge of N5 billion. He was followed by former army chief and Minister of Defence, General TY Danjuma, who pledged N3 billion. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, donated N2 billion and committed to contributing an additional N2 billion annually over the next three years, bringing his total contribution to N8 billion. Business mogul Arthur Eze also publicly announced his support with a N500 million donation, presenting a cheque on the spot.
Other notable contributions included N250 million from Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) and N100 million from Mustafa Chike-Obi of Fidelity Bank, among others. While many donors, particularly politicians and government officials, chose not to disclose their contributions publicly, PRNigeria reported that the total pledges amounted to approximately N20 billion.
Read Also:
The event was graced by several high-profile dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, who served as the Special Guest of Honour. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo chaired the book presentation, while former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo delivered the keynote address. Other attendees included former Nigerian leaders Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma. Former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo were also present, while senior aides represented former President Muhammadu Buhari and General TY Danjuma.
Acknowledging Abiola’s Victory
In his autobiography, Babangida provided further insight into the events surrounding the annulment. According to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, Babangida expressed satisfaction with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to recognize Abiola’s victory and honor him with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) title.
Osinbajo quoted Babangida as saying: “Although I previously stated that Abiola may not have won the election, upon deeper reflection and closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results published as an appendix in this book, there is no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 election.”
Babangida also admitted that, given another chance, he would have handled the events of June 12 differently.
The Legacy of June 12
The June 12 election remains a pivotal moment in Nigerian history, marking a rare instance where Nigerians united across ethnic and regional lines to elect a president. Abiola, the SDP candidate, contested the election against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). The election results were being collated when the military regime ordered the National Electoral Commission (NEC), led by the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, to halt the process, ultimately leading to the annulment.
Babangida’s acknowledgment of Abiola’s victory and his regret over the annulment represent a significant moment of reflection on his legacy. However, his remarks also reignite questions about the motivations behind his decision to annul the election and the lasting impact of his rule on Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.
The IBB Presidential Library, once completed, will join the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta as one of Nigeria’s few institutions dedicated to preserving the nation’s political and historical heritage. According to its promoters, the library will serve as a repository for Nigeria’s arts, political, and military history, ensuring that future generations have access to the lessons of the past.
As Babangida’s autobiography sheds new light on one of Nigeria’s most controversial periods, his reflections on June 12 and the pledges for the library underscore the enduring significance of that election in the nation’s collective memory.
By PRNigeria
