Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, has called on President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents. He emphasized that Abiola’s victory in the June 12, 1993, election should be fully acknowledged.

Kalu suggested that Abiola’s portrait be placed among those of Nigeria’s past leaders in the Presidential Villa.

Speaking to Senate correspondents before the plenary session on February 25, he referred to former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s recent memoir, which confirmed that Abiola won the 1993 election.

“Yes, Abiola won the election. And I will say President Tinubu should declare him a president posthumously,” Kalu stated.

He praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for awarding a national honor to Abiola but insisted that more 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 comfort to his family,” Kalu added.

Kalu also commented on Babangida’s memoir, calling it incomplete. He urged the former military leader to release a second edition to address unanswered questions about 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 name those responsible for preventing the election from being declared,” he said.

Additionally, Kalu dismissed claims that the 1966 coup was an ethnic conspiracy, arguing that it was a “Nigerian coup, executed by the military,” rather than an Igbo-led coup.

Kalu’s statements have reignited discussions about the need for proper recognition of Abiola’s role in Nigeria’s democratic history.