Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State and current lawmaker representing Abia North, has urged President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents.
Kalu suggested that Abiola’s portrait should be displayed alongside those of other former leaders in the Presidential Villa as a way to acknowledge his victory in the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. He made this appeal while speaking with journalists at the Senate before Tuesday’s plenary session.
His statement comes after the release of former military president General Ibrahim Babangida’s memoir, in which Babangida admitted that Abiola won the 1993 election.
Kalu stated, “Yes, Abiola won the election. And I will say President Tinubu should declare him a president posthumously.”
While commending former President Muhammadu Buhari for previously granting Abiola a posthumous national honor, Kalu insisted that further recognition was necessary.
“Since Abiola won, his picture should be placed among Nigeria’s past presidents. 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,” Kalu noted.
He also commented on Babangida’s memoir, stating that it did not reveal all the details surrounding the annulled election. He encouraged Babangida to release a second volume to provide more clarity.
“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,” Kalu said.
Addressing historical debates, Kalu dismissed claims that the 1966 coup was motivated by ethnic interests.
“The coup in question was not an Igbo coup; it was a Nigerian coup, executed by the military,” he stated.
He also reaffirmed that Abiola was the rightful winner of the 1993 election, stating, “Moshood Abiola won that election, and there is no doubt about it.”
Kalu further expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s chances of winning a second term in office.
When asked about the 2027 presidential election, he said, “Yes, Asiwaju will win in 2027.”
He urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu’s administration, arguing that history has shown that even presidents who faced challenges early in their tenure have gone on to secure reelection.
“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,” he added.
