Atiku Abubakar, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has shared how his mentor, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, instructed him to step down for MKO Abiola during the 1993 Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries.

Atiku made this revelation in an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie on Untold Stories. He explained that Yar’Adua, a respected political leader, called him aside and told him to withdraw from the race to support Abiola.

According to Atiku, Yar’Adua warned that if Abiola did not come to Jos, where the primaries were taking place, Babagana Kingibe was likely to win. Atiku advised Abiola to travel immediately to Jos, and he did—arriving in the early hours of the morning.

That night, Yar’Adua had a private meeting with Abiola at Ambassador Kwande’s house. Atiku was not part of the discussion, but later, Yar’Adua simply told him, “Turaki, step down for MKO Abiola.” Without hesitation, Atiku agreed.

Atiku also revealed that after Abiola won the primaries, some governors in the SDP opposed the idea of him becoming the vice-presidential candidate. They insisted that Abiola should pick Babagana Kingibe instead, threatening to withdraw their support if he did otherwise.

Although MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results. This decision sparked nationwide protests and political unrest.

In February 2025, Babangida expressed regret for his actions, admitting that the election was free and fair. However, the annulment remains one of the most controversial moments in Nigeria’s political history.

Atiku’s account of these events sheds more light on the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped Nigeria’s democracy.