IBB/MKO Abiola: Admit true winners of past elections – Peter Obi to Nigerian leaders

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has reacted to former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s (IBB) recent admission that the late Chief MKO Abiola was the rightful winner of the June 12, 1993, election.

IBB made the revelation during the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, on Thursday, acknowledging the historical injustice.

“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,” Babangida stated.

Obi, who attended the event, shared his thoughts on his verified X account, reflecting on the significance of the moment:

“Today, I had the gracious honor of attending the launch of President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s long-awaited autobiography, A Journey in Service, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

“IBB’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy and his unwavering 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 national unity and economic policies that strengthened the country’s cohesion and development.

“Documenting such experiences is a welcome development, as it allows us to learn from those who have served and left a lasting impact on the nation. I look forward to reading this book, which undoubtedly holds valuable lessons. As someone committed to continuous learning, I will always align myself with knowledge drawn from documented experiences and historical records, while also contributing to the legacy library.

“Two key takeaways stood out from the keynote address and IBB’s comments on the 1993 election.

“The first was the keynote speaker’s notable French quotation, Rien n’a changé, meaning ‘Nothing much has changed.’ Unfortunately, in Nigeria’s case, we are worse off than during IBB’s era. When Babangida left office in 1992, countries such as Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Ghana were in the low Human Development Index (HDI) category—just like Nigeria. However, today, these nations have advanced to medium and high HDI levels, while Nigeria remains stagnant or has declined.

“The second key takeaway was the keynote speaker’s remark that Ghana has remained a truly democratic country for the past 30 years, with leadership transitions that genuinely reflect the people’s will. Unlike Nigeria, where electoral outcomes often fail to align with voters’ choices, Ghana has demonstrated a commitment to true democracy, with ruling party candidates conceding defeat when necessary.

“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 crucial 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.”