June 12: MKO Abiola did not win June 12 election, I would be deceiving myself if I say he – IBB

Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida has said he would be deceiving himself if he said Chief M.K.O Abiola won the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections.

Babangida made this known in an interview with Zest Newspaper which was republished by Premium Times.
He explained that Abiola was on the verge of winning the election when it was annulled.
He added that despite the June 12 election was regarded as fair and freest election, nobody credited him for that.

In one word, sir, would you say Abiola won that election?
He was on the verge of winning that election.
Did he win that election from what you saw?
From what I saw, he was on the verge of winning that election because by the time it was assumed that he won, officially, the official thing was not done. Results were still coming in, and it wasn’t declared. So, I think I would be deceiving myself if I say he has won.
You said it was the finest hour; yet, we couldn’t get it right; isn’t that pessimistic?
To whom does this credit go?
From what you have seen so far, you haven’t learnt a lesson from it?
The credit of not getting it right? You wouldn’t give me; so, I accepted that I will not be given that credit no matter what I say.