Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
A former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents.
The Senator representing Abia North, urged that Abiola’s portrait be placed alongside those of other former leaders in the Presidential Villa.
Speaking to Senate correspondents before the commencement of plenary on Tuesday, Senator Kalu responded to recent revelations made by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) admitting in his recently released memoir, that Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In his words, “Yes, Abiola won the election. And I will say President Tinubu should declare him a president posthumously”.
He lauded the actions of former President Muhammadu Buhari for conferring a posthumous national honor on Abiola but stressed that further recognition was necessary.
“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”.
When asked about former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs, Senator Kalu described them as incomplete, urging the former military leader to publish a second volume that would address 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 call out the names of those responsible for preventing the election declaration”.
Kalu also dismissed claims that the 1966 coup was an ethnic conspiracy, adding that “the coup in question was not an Igbo coup; it was a Nigerian coup, executed by the military.”
He reiterated that “Moshood Abiola won that election, and there is no doubt about it”.
Beyond June 12, Kalu subtly began a campaign for President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. When asked about the next presidential election, he responded confidently, ‘Yes, Asiwaju will win in 2027’.
Senator Kalu, who is known for wearing white traditional attire, appeared in a burgundy-colored outfit today, explaining that the color symbolized continuity, declaring that ‘”This is continuity; it means Asiwaju, continue”.
He further argued that history had shown that even presidents with perceived underperformance had secured second terms, urging Nigerians to remain patient with Tinubu’s reform agenda.
Expressing confidence in Tinubu’s chances, Senator Kalu stated that “We are appealing to Nigerians to be patient with the reform process. We are not looking for another presidential candidate outside our party, we are fully aligned with democratic principles and supporting the sitting president”.
“The good news is that we will win again in 2027. The president will return, and Nigerians will celebrate with us. That is inevitable”.