Senator Kalu Calls for Posthumous Recognition of Abiola as President

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North, has called on President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents. Kalu urged that Abiola’s portrait be displayed alongside those of other former Nigerian leaders in the Presidential Villa.

Speaking to Senate correspondents before the commencement of plenary on Tuesday, Senator Kalu noted recent revelations by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), who admitted in his memoir that Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Kalu affirmed Babangida’s statement, asserting, “Yes, Abiola won the election. And I will say President Tinubu should declare him a president posthumously.”

The Senator expressed his appreciation for the posthumous national honor conferred upon Abiola by former President Muhammadu Buhari, but he stressed that further recognition was needed. Kalu stated, “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.”

In response to questions regarding Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs, Kalu described them as incomplete and urged the former military leader to publish a second volume that addresses unresolved 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 call out the names of those responsible for preventing the election declaration,” Kalu stated.

Additionally, Kalu dismissed claims that the 1966 coup was an ethnic conspiracy, clarifying, “The coup in question was not an Igbo coup; it was a Nigerian coup, executed by the military.”

The calls for Abiola’s posthumous recognition continue to gain momentum, with Kalu adding his voice to those advocating for a formal acknowledgment of the significant role the late businessman and philanthropist played in Nigeria’s democratic history.