Human rights lawyer Femi Falana insists that Nigerians have recognized MKO Abiola as the rightful winner of the 1993 presidential election despite its annulment. He joins calls urging President Tinubu to officially acknowledge Abiola’s presidency and place his portrait among past leaders in the Presidential Villa.
Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has asserted that Nigerians have long acknowledged MKO Abiola as the country’s rightful president, despite the annulment of the 1993 election by former military leader Ibrahim Babangida.
Falana, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, dismissed recent calls for official recognition of Abiola’s presidency, stating that Nigerians had already conferred that status on him. "Since 1993, he has been recognized by the people of Nigeria as an elected president. Those trying to rewrite history are only catching up now," he said.
The debate over Abiola’s recognition resurfaced after Babangida, in his memoir, admitted that Abiola indeed won the election but claimed he annulled it in the "national interest." This revelation has reignited demands for President Bola Tinubu to officially honor Abiola posthumously.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has joined the call, urging Tinubu to place Abiola’s portrait among Nigeria’s past leaders in the Presidential Villa. “Since Abiola won, his picture should be placed among Nigeria’s past presidents,” Kalu stated, emphasizing that such recognition would bring closure to the matter.
In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari had already taken steps to honor Abiola by conferring him with the GCFR title, an honor reserved for presidents, and shifting Democracy Day to June 12—the date of the historic election. However, activists insist that further steps, including officially listing Abiola as a former president, are necessary to acknowledge his role in Nigeria’s democratic journey fully.
