Falana: Nigerians Have Long Recognized Abiola as ‘Elected President’ Since 1993
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana stated that Nigerians have already acknowledged the late MKO Abiola as a former president of the country, following his victory in the 1993 election that was annulled by then-military president Ibrahim Babangida.
Falana emphasized that since 1993, Nigerians have regarded Abiola as their elected president. He further noted that the recent recognition by others comes decades after the public’s acknowledgment.
The call for official recognition of Abiola has gained momentum, with figures like Senator Orji Uzor Kalu also urging President Bola Tinubu to posthumously declare Abiola as president and place his portrait among other former leaders in the Presidential Villa.
In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari honored Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) title and moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in recognition of the historic 1993 election.
