Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has reaffirmed that Nigerians have long recognized the late Chief MKO Abiola as the rightful winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Speaking on Channels TV on Tuesday, Falana reacted to former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida’s recent admission regarding the election. He dismissed Babangida’s confession as a mere acknowledgment of what Nigerians have always known.
“Since 1993, MKO Abiola has been recognized by the people of Nigeria as an elected president. These people trying to turn back the hands of time are just realizing that now,” Falana said.
The senior lawyer also took a swipe at plans to establish a presidential library in Babangida’s name, arguing that only democratically elected presidents should have such institutions.
“No former military Head of State has ever set up a library. What do you want to read there? A library should be built by an elected president, not a military ruler. If they must establish one, it should be correctly named a ‘former military president library,’ not a presidential library, to avoid misleading people,” he added.
Falana further criticized Babangida’s justification for adopting the title of “president” during his military rule, stating that the suspended constitution at the time did not recognize military dictators.
“He said in his book that he chose the title ‘president’ in line with a suspended provision of the constitution, but that provision did not validate military dictatorship. Every officer under that constitution was meant to be elected,” Falana emphasized.
Babangida’s recent revelations have reignited discussions surrounding the annulled June 12 election, which remains a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.
