Former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, has called for support and compensation for the family of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, following former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s recent revelation that Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
READ ALSO: MKO Abiola won June 12, 1993 election – Babangida
Daily News 24 reports that Yuguda made the appeal during an interview on Arise News on Friday, emphasizing the need for the government to show sympathy and support to Abiola’s family. “We should be sympathetic and do something symbolic to support the family,” he said.
He described Abiola as a patriot who fought for the nation’s interest and stressed that Babangida’s decision to annul the election was a leadership choice that could be right or wrong.
The June 12, 1993, presidential election is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, with Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), emerging as the presumed winner. However, Babangida annulled the election.
For years, Babangida defended the annulment, but in his newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service, he admitted that Abiola had met all the requirements to become president, calling the annulment the toughest decision of his life.
Yuguda praised Babangida’s decision to acknowledge Abiola’s victory, describing it as a sign of good leadership. He noted that Babangida’s autobiography was written to help future generations learn about leadership and humility.
