The senator representing Abia North Senatorial District Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to posthumously recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s former presidents.
In a bid to honor Abiola’s legacy, Senator Kalu also proposed that Abiola’s portrait should be hung alongside those of other Nigerian presidents.
The senator made this plea at the National Assembly on Tuesday, building on the recent revelation by former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida that Chief MKO Abiola was indeed the victor of the 1993 presidential election.
The historic June 12, 1993, presidential election is widely regarded as the most free, fair, and credible presidential election ever held in Nigeria.
In his recently published memoirs titled “A Journey in Service: An Autobiography”, former military president General Ibrahim Babangida finally acknowledged that Chief MKO Abiola was indeed the rightful winner of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In an interview with journalists, the former governor of Abia state asserted that General Ibrahim Babangida’s recent revelation had effectively settled the lingering controversy surrounding the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The senator said, “Yes, Abiola won the election, and there’s no doubt about that. I would like them to put Abiola’s picture where other presidents’ pictures are.
“I will appeal to President Tinubu to swear him in posthumously and also allow his picture to be where you have that of former Nigerian presidents.
“We have already given him most of the honours. I’m very thankful to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who gave him a national award.
“This will help bring succour to his family.”
