IBB’s Confession’s Nothing New, Does Not Erase Decades of Injustice – Hafsat, Abiola’s Daughter

Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has dismissed former military leader Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s recent admission that her father won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, stating that it does not erase the decades of injustice suffered by her family and Nigerians.

Reacting to Babangida’s revelation in his autobiography, A Journey in Service, Hafsat insisted that Nigerians had always known the truth. She noted this in a statement on Friday.

Hafsat said: “For decades, Nigerians have known the truth. This is not new to us. But it is important that history records it from those who played a role in that dark chapter.

She noted that whenever June 12 is mentioned, she is reminded of her parents, MKO and Kudirat Abiola, who dedicated their lives to the fight for democracy.

Hafsat lamented that despite the overwhelming support for her father’s mandate, the annulment of the election remains a painful injustice to her family and Nigeria.

The statement read: “When anyone mentions June 12, my mind always goes to MKO and Kudi. But June 12’s staying power was because the vote that Nigerians expressed that day was a vote for a better future and for unity.

“MKO may have been the symbol of the Hope ’93 campaign but June 12 was about more than one man, it was about the promise of Nigeria that would deliver for Nigerians.

“For those that kept expressing doubt that Nigerians had spoken so decisively on that day, I’m glad that General IBB’s admission that MKO won the election can now lay the matter to rest.

“It’s sad that such a galvanising statement as the breakthrough vote for MKO should have been truncated by an unjust annulment.

“But I will be forever grateful to both MKO and Kudi for not allowing their fears for their personal safety to stand in the way of the people’s desire for a better Nigeria.

May such commitment endure.”

Babangida, who annulled the election in 1993, recently expressed regret over the decision, claiming that forces within the military pressured him into it.