Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia) has called on President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as a former president of Nigeria, posthumously.
Kalu, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, also advocated for Abiola’s portrait to be displayed alongside those of past Nigerian presidents.
Speaking at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Kalu referenced the recent statement by former military president, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, confirming that Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The June 12, 1993, presidential election was widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria at the time.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that in his autobiography, A Journey in Service, former military president, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, acknowledged that the late politician and philanthropist, Chief MKO Abiola, won the election.
Speaking to journalists, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia, stated that Babangida’s recent revelations had settled the long-standing controversy surrounding the election. He urged President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents.
“Yes, Abiola won the election, and there’s no doubt about that. I want his picture to be displayed alongside those of other former presidents,” Kalu said.
“I will appeal to President Tinubu to swear him in posthumously and ensure his portrait is placed where those of Nigeria’s past leaders are displayed.
“We have already bestowed many honors upon him. I am especially grateful to former President Muhammadu Buhari for awarding him a national honour.”
“This will help bring comfort to his family,” Kalu said.
When asked whether Babangida had fully addressed the controversies and debates surrounding his eight-year military rule in his book, Kalu replied that the memoir was incomplete.
He suggested that the former military president should write a second volume, focusing primarily on the unresolved questions surrounding the June 12 election.
“I look forward to the second edition of Babangida’s book because the first did not reveal all the realities,” he stated.
Kalu also urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
“Many presidents in Nigeria who did not perform well still won re-election. We are appealing to the Nigerian people,” Kalu said.
He emphasized that there would be no internal competition for the APC presidential ticket, stating, “We have only one candidate, and that is Bola Tinubu. We are not considering anyone else.”
Kalu pointed out that one of Nigeria’s challenges is the reluctance of some individuals to build on the gains of reform.
“It may be difficult and challenging today, and people are complaining, but the reforms are gradually taking effect,” he added.
