Following the revelations that late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, former Abia State Governor and current Senator for Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to officially recognise the late politician as one of Nigeria’s past presidents.

Kalu suggested that Abiola’s portrait should be placed alongside those of other former leaders at the Presidential Villa as a sign of acknowledgement.

He made the call while speaking with journalists at the Senate before yesterday’s plenary session.

This was in reaction to the revelations from the newly released memoir of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), where he admitted that Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

He stated, “Yes, Abiola won the election. And I will say President Tinubu should declare him a president posthumously.”

While praising former President Muhammadu Buhari for awarding Abiola a posthumous national honour, he insisted that more should be done.

“Since Abiola won, his picture should be placed among Nigeria’s past presidents. I commend former President Buhari for giving him a national honour, but I also appeal to President Tinubu to officially recognise him and place his image where it belongs. This would help bring succour to his family,” Kalu stated.

When asked about Babangida’s memoir, Kalu said it did not provide the full story, urging Babangida to publish a second volume to clarify unanswered questions about the annulled election.

He stated, “I look forward to the second edition of Babangida’s book because the first did not reveal all the realities. I was present during the events of June 12, and I know what happened. Babangida should call out the names of those responsible for preventing the election declaration.”

He also dismissed claims that the 1966 coup was planned along ethnic lines, stating, “The coup in question was not an Igbo coup; it was a Nigerian coup, executed by the military.”

Kalu reaffirmed that Abiola was the rightful winner of the 1993 election.

“Moshood Abiola won that election, and there is no doubt about it,” he emphasised

When asked about the next presidential election, Kalu subtly expressed support for Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027, saying confidently: “Yes, Asiwaju will win in 2027.”

He urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu’s government, adding that history has shown that even presidents who were not initially well received have secured second terms.

He said, “We are appealing to Nigerians to be patient with the reform process. We are not looking for another presidential candidate outside our party. We are fully aligned with democratic principles and supporting the sitting president.

“The good news is that we will win again in 2027. The president will return, and Nigerians will celebrate with us. That is inevitable.”