Former Lagos State lawmaker Jude Idimogu has asked President Bola Tinubu to declare Chief M.K.O. Abiola as a past Nigerian President posthumously.
Idimogu, who represented Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II from 2015 to 2023, made the request in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday.
This comes after ex-military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) admitted Abiola won the 1993 election in his memoir.
“I commend the President for recognising democracy heroes such as the late Kudirat Abiola and Bola Ige, among others, for their democratic struggles.
“Yes, Abiola won the election, and I urge President Tinubu to declare him an ex-president posthumously, in recognition of his democratic victory,” he said.
He did, however, caution that such a proclamation is contingent on the president’s disposition and if it is consistent with constitutional and legal norms.
According to Idimogu, M.K.O. Abiola was not formally declared the winner by the electoral commission since the election was annulled before the final pronouncement.
He emphasised that the issue is between constitutional limits and presidential desire and that the National Assembly may also need to be involved.
“In general, implementation depends on the president’s state of mind and willingness to address the matter legally and appropriately,” he said.
Idimogu thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari for presenting Abiola with a posthumous national honour but said greater acknowledgement was required.
He noted that, while the June 12, 1993, election has passed, its lessons remain critical to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
According to him, if Nigeria wants to duplicate the transparency of June 12, it must establish a fully independent election body.
He stated that in order to ensure neutrality, the president should not have any influence over who becomes the chairman of the electoral commission.
Idimogu stated that duplicating the 1993 election now would be difficult due to several vested political interests.
He said, “Even if the president stays neutral, political parties may still interfere to secure victory for their candidates.
“Back in 1993, Nigerians were more united in seeking national progress. Today, the country is more divided along ethnic and religious lines.”
He noted that the 1993 election, conducted by Humphrey Nwosu utilising Option A4, exemplified unity rarely seen in modern politics.
Regarding political reform, Idimogu remarked that many politicians and individuals lack patriotism, frequently sacrificing national interests for personal or partisan gain.
