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MKO Abiola won controversial June 12 election – IBB finally confirms
MKO Abiola won controversial June 12 election – IBB finally confirms
In his newly released memoir, ‘A Journey in Service’, former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has confirmed that the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the controversial June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Babangida’s candid admission came during the book’s launch in Abuja on Thursday, as his autobiography, reviewed by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, shed new light on the events surrounding the historic poll.
According to the account, Babangida, who had initially cast doubt on Abiola’s victory, now acknowledges that Abiola, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, secured both the highest number of votes and the necessary geographical spread to emerge as the rightful president.
Osinbajo said: “He also answers the question whether Abiola actually won the June 12 election, and I quote him, ‘although I am on record to have stated after the election that Abiola may not have won the election, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all available facts, particularly the detailed election results, which are published as an appendix to this book, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections.”
In his memoir, Babangida reflected on the events of the June 12 election, admitting that, given the opportunity, he would have handled the situation differently. The former Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, quoted Babangida as expressing this regret during the book’s presentation.
Babangida also expressed satisfaction that former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously recognized MKO Abiola’s rightful victory by conferring upon him the nation’s highest honor, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
Abiola, representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP), faced off against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in what is widely considered Nigeria’s freest election.
However, as results began to pour in, the military government abruptly intervened, instructing the National Electoral Commission (NEC), led by Professor Humphrey Nwosu, to halt the announcement of the election results.
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Governor Adeleke issues fresh orders over tomorrow LG Elections in Osun State
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Governor Adeleke issues fresh orders over tomorrow LG Elections in Osun State
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement within the state from 5:00a.m., to 5:00p.m., during the local government election on Saturday
A statement on Friday by Malam Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesman, quoted Adeleke has reiterating his commitment to peace and security in the state.
Adeleke stated that the restriction of movement was necessary to prevent entry of hoodlums into the state to cause chaos during the election.
He, therefore, directed security agencies to enforce the restriction of movement order with exceptions to only persons on essential duties, voters, accredited media and members of civil society organisations
The governor said that the directive was to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in the state. (NAN)
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Police operatives arrested, quizzed for alleged manhandling of aged Resident
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Police operatives arrested, quizzed for alleged manhandling of aged Resident
The Abia Police Command says it has commenced investigation into the alleged manhandling of an elderly man in Umuahia by three operatives and a civilian Task Force member.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued in Umuahia and made available to newsmen on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three operatives and a civilian Task Force member were seen in a viral video, hitting an old man with boots.
The statement read in part, “The Abia Police Command is aware of a trending video on Facebook, depicting some police officers manhandling a civilian.
“The incident is alleged to have occurred on Lagos Street, Umuahia on 20/02/2025
“The officers involved have been identified and currently under interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department.”
The PPRO promised that the public would be updated after necessary administrative actions had been taken against any of the officers found culpable.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Danladi Isa, strongly condemned what he termed “unprofessional act, misconduct and incivility toward members of the public”.
According to her, the CP also reiterated his command’s commitment to ensuring a professionally competent, rule of law-complaint, and people-friendly police force, in line with the Inspector–General’s vision.
“The public is advised to report any misconduct, unprofessional behaviour, or incivility by officers of the command to the Complaint Response Unit via 09031593827, 09035401645,” she added. (NAN)
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Chief of Army Staff inaugurates newly constructed accomodation for Soldiers
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Chief of Army Staff inaugurates newly constructed accomodation for Soldiers
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt..-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Friday, inaugurated the newly constructed 17 blocks of soldiers’ accomodation at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna.
The COAS also inaugurated three blocks of soldiers’ accommodation and the Infantry Model Command Day Secondary School at the cantonment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the three blocks accomodation, which housed 30 flats was named after the late COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taureed Lagbaja, while the 17 blocks housing 170 flats was named after Oluyede.
In his address, Oluyede, said the projects were conceptualised with work commencing during his tenure as the Commander, Infantry Corps.
He recalled that as the then Corps Commander, he strongly pushed for the initiation of the projects.
According to Oluyede, that was sequel to the realisation that there were existing gaps in the quality of secondary school education delivered to children and acute shortage of accommodation for the troops within the Jaji military cantonment.
As the present COAS, Oluyede said, he embraced the same ethos in his quest for the best in terms of welfare for soldiers nationwide.
He said that the Infantry Model Command Day Secondary School, which was a beautiful edifice would also be staffed with the best of teachers and other administrative staff.
The Army Chief said the goal was to give children in the barracks the best education and place them in a favourable position to compete with their contemporaries in public and private schools both home and abroad.
Oluyede disclosed that the laudable initiative would not end in Jaji, emphasising that similar initiatives would be replicated nationwide in identified areas of need.
“As I speak, the final equipping of the newly constructed Command Children School in Daura Katsina is ongoing while renovation works are being carried out in similar institutions nationwide,”he said.
The COAS stated that all the initiatives were all part of his grand plan for the improved welfare of the troops and their families.
“This is because I recognise that the standard of welfare of our personnel and their families is crucial to our force readiness.
“This informed the ‘Soldier First Culture’ as one of the strategic objectives of my Command Philosophy.
“In that wise, the inuguration of these blocks of accommodation today will indeed go a long way in providing the much-needed relief in the Jaji community,” Oluyede said .
He, however, urged all the beneficiaries to take proper care of the spaces, while restating his commitment to continuing to do more to give the soldiers a befitting quality of life in the barracks.
Oluyede assured the soldiers that the Nigerian Army under his watch wad also focusing on the post-service housing needs of personnel.
This is by rapidly expanding the ‘Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Programme’ otherwise known as AHOOAS.
“All soldiers of the Nigerian Army should therefore be rest assured that under my leadership, their welfare will be my priority,”he stated.
Speaking on the ongoing unslaught against adversaries, Oluyede said the commitment of soldiers was yielding results.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his tireless support and continuous guidance, while restating the Nigerian Army’s unwavering allegiance.
Earlier, the Infantry Corps Commander (ICC), Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, said the event marked a significant milestone in the commitment to enhancing the welfare of personnel and their families.
He also said that it reflectef the unwavering dedication of the corps’s leadership to building upon the achievements of predecessors.
Ibrahim emphasised that the focus of the COAS’s command philosophy wad clear.
According to him, it is to consolidate the successes of past leaders and to bequeath a well-motivated and combat-ready force.
He said that such a force must be capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
Central to the vision, Ibrahim said, was the recognition that the welfare of soldiers and their families was paramount.
“It is this philosophy that has driven the conception and execution of vital projects that are aimed at addressing the pressing needs of our troops.
“The completion of the first phase of 17 blocks of flats at the newly renamed Lt.- Gen. OO Oluyede Barracks in Old Kafanchan Barracks will directly addresses the accommodation challenges faced by our soldiers and their families.
“This is by providing them with a secure and comfortable living environment”he said.
According to him, the ability of the soldiers to perform their duties effectively is significantly enhanced when their families are well-cared for and supported.
Ibrahim, therefore, said the project was a testament to their commitment towards ensuring that the personnel focused on their vital roles in safeguarding the nation.
Speaking about the secondary school, the corps commander said the institution was not just a building, but a beacon of hope for the education of barrack children.
“By investing in their future, we are nurturing the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the values of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.
“Education is the foundation upon which we build a prosperous and secure nation.
“This school will play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of our youths and potential leaders of our great nation,”he said.
Ibrahim thanked the wives of soldiers and the families who stood steadfastly behind them in maintaining the home front, thereby allowing soldiers to perform their duties with dedication and selflessness.
He urged the teachers and students of the school to embrace their roles as beacons of hope for the nation.
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