Lekan Abiola, one of the sons of the late Moshood Abiola—the widely recognized winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election—has revealed that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), has apologised to the family for nullifying the historic vote.

Lekan made this known on Thursday during the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium in Lagos, held as part of preparations for the upcoming launch of the book “MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy.”

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Lekan said the family felt a measure of relief following Babangida’s public acknowledgement and apology.

“We returned from the United States, we met with IBB, and he apologised to us privately. When he later came out publicly to express regret for annulling the election and acknowledged that MKO won, he simply repeated what he had earlier said to us in private. Every year, he sends someone to represent him at the June 12 commemoration,” he noted.

He highlighted the importance of the public apology, calling it long overdue.

“Before now, the apology was private. But that’s like someone hitting you in public and apologising behind closed doors.”

Lekan added that Babangida’s public admission helped validate MKO Abiola’s electoral victory, dispelling lingering doubts and controversy.

“For him to publicly state that MKO won the election gives us peace of mind. There were always questions—‘Did he really win?’ But now, with the full results released, it is officially confirmed that MKO won. That’s no longer in dispute.”

PUNCH Online also reported Thursday that the late Abiola’s children urged President Bola Tinubu to pass legislation officially declaring June 12 as Democracy Day, ensuring it becomes law and is not easily reversed in the future.