The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has responded to former Nigerian Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd), who publicly acknowledged that the late Chief MKO Abiola was the rightful winner of the June 12, 1993 election.
Babangida made this admission on Thursday during the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service. Reflecting on his role in the annulment of the election, he expressed regret, stating: “That accident of history is most regrettable.
The nation is entitled to expect my impression of regret. As a leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken under my watch.”Obi, who attended the book launch at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, shared his thoughts on his verified X account.
He praised Babangida’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth, particularly in the financial sector, and his efforts toward fostering national unity.
“IBB’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy and his strong support for entrepreneurship and private sector growth remain immeasurable. Under his leadership, Nigeria witnessed substantial growth, particularly in the financial sector. He played a key role in fostering a united and equitable Nigeria, ensuring policies that strengthened national cohesion and economic development.”Obi highlighted key insights from the event, particularly the keynote speaker’s remark in French, “Rien n’a changé” (“Nothing much has changed”).
He pointed out that Nigeria has regressed compared to peer nations like Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Ghana, which have moved up the Human Development Index while Nigeria remains stagnant or in decline.He also noted Ghana’s democratic progress, contrasting it with Nigeria’s electoral system. “Ghana has remained a truly democratic country for the past 30 years, with leadership transitions that reflect the genuine votes of the people. Unlike Nigeria, where electoral outcomes often fail to reflect the people’s will, Ghana has witnessed instances where ruling party candidates conceded defeat, respecting democracy in its truest form.
”Obi described Babangida’s admission regarding the 1993 election as a significant moment. “One of the most profound moments of the event was IBB’s admission that Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12 election. This acknowledgment is a step toward national healing, unity, and progress.
I hope that one day, other key players in Nigeria’s democracy will find the courage to recognize the true winners of past elections, allowing our nation to tell its story with honesty and reflection.”Obi’s remarks reflect his commitment to transparency in Nigeria’s political history and his call for democratic integrity.
