Kalu Urges Tinubu to Officially Recognize MKO Abiola as a Former President

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to formally recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents.

Kalu urged that Abiola’s portrait be placed alongside those of other former leaders in the Presidential Villa, emphasizing the need to fully acknowledge his victory in the June 12, 1993, election.

Speaking to Senate correspondents before plenary on Tuesday, February 25, Kalu referenced former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s recently released memoir, in which Babangida admitted that Abiola won the election. “Yes, Abiola won the election. And I will say President Tinubu should declare him a president posthumously,” Kalu stated.

He commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for conferring a national honor on Abiola but 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 honor, but I also appeal to President Tinubu to officially recognize him and place his image where it belongs. This would help bring comfort to his family,” Kalu said.

Regarding Babangida’s memoir, Kalu described it as incomplete and urged the former military leader to release a second volume to clarify unanswered questions surrounding the annulment of the June 12 election. “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 name those responsible for preventing the election’s declaration,” he added.

He also refuted claims that the 1966 coup was an ethnic conspiracy, insisting that it was a “Nigerian coup, executed by the military,” rather than an Igbo-led coup.