Former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida has finally admitted that Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election. This revelation, made in his autobiography, A Journey in Service, confirms what Nigerians have always known. However, for Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the late MKO Abiola, Babangida’s words come too little, too late.
Hafsat reacted swiftly, stating, “My father won, we always knew it.” She emphasized that while the acknowledgment is important, it does not erase the pain inflicted on her family or the betrayal suffered by Nigerians. She further noted, “For decades, Nigerians have known the truth. This is not new to us. But it is important that history records it from those who played a role in that dark chapter.”
Nigerians Demand Accountability for June 12 Betrayal
Babangida’s confession has reignited public anger and reflections on Nigeria’s political past. Many Nigerians believe his admission should pave the way for deeper accountability, not just for the annulled election but for the years of suffering that followed. Hafsat reiterated that June 12 was not just about her father but about the collective hope of Nigerians for a better nation.
“When anyone mentions June 12, my mind always goes to MKO and Kudi. But June 12’s staying power was because the vote that Nigerians expressed that day was a vote for a better future and for unity,” she stated. She further stressed that MKO symbolized the Hope ’93 campaign, but the struggle was bigger than one man—it was about Nigeria’s promise to its people.
Hafsat Abiola: My Family Will Never Forgive Babangida
The pain of the annulment still lingers, as Hafsat reflected on her parents’ sacrifices. “It’s sad that such a galvanizing statement as the breakthrough vote for MKO should have been truncated by an unjust annulment. But I will be forever grateful to both MKO and Kudi for not allowing their fears for their personal safety to stand in the way of the people’s desire for a better Nigeria. May such commitment endure.”
For many, Babangida’s confession does not absolve him of blame. The Abiola family will never forgive him for what he did to their father. Nigerians remember how Abiola was silenced, his victory stolen, and his legacy suppressed. While Babangida made the first move, it remains to be seen if justice for June 12 will ever be served.
