Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has insisted that Nigerians have long recognized the late MKO Abiola as a former president, emphasizing that his portrait should be placed alongside those of other past leaders in the Presidential Villa.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Abiola, who won the annulled 1993 presidential election, was recently acknowledged by former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida as the rightful winner. Babangida, in his newly released memoir, admitted that Abiola emerged victorious but claimed the election was annulled in the “national interest.”
Babangida’s revelation has renewed calls for President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize Abiola. However, Falana maintains that such validation is unnecessary, as Nigerians have already embraced Abiola’s presidency.
“Since 1993, he has been recognized by the people of Nigeria as an elected president,” Falana asserted on Politics Today with Channels Television. “These guys who try to set the hands of the clock back are just recognizing that now.”
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has also lent his voice to the movement, urging President Tinubu to take decisive action by ensuring Abiola’s portrait is displayed among past Nigerian leaders in the Presidential Villa.
“Since Abiola won, his picture should be placed among Nigeria’s past presidents,” Kalu emphasized during Tuesday’s plenary session. “I commend former President Buhari for giving him a national honor, but I also appeal to President Tinubu to officially recognize him and place his image where it belongs. This would help bring succor to his family.”
In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously conferred the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Abiola—an honor traditionally reserved for heads of state. Buhari also awarded Baba Gana Kingibe, Abiola’s running mate, the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) title and moved Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in Abiola’s honor.
With mounting pressure from political and civil society voices, the call for Abiola’s official recognition—and his rightful place in Nigeria’s history—remains a key national conversation.
