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Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), has criticized former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s recent autobiography, A Journey in Service, stating that the book failed to reveal all the realities. He expressed hope for a more detailed second edition.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the former Abia State Governor called on Babangida to name the key actors behind the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
“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. The coup in question was not an Igbo coup; it was a Nigerian coup, executed by the military. Moshood Abiola won that election, and there is no doubt about it.”
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Senator Kalu urged President Bola Tinubu to posthumously swear in Chief Moshood Abiola as the duly elected President of the June 12, 1993, election. He also called for the inclusion of Abiola’s presidential portrait alongside Nigeria’s past leaders.
“Since Abiola won, his picture should be placed among Nigeria’s past presidents. I commend former President Buhari for giving him a posthumous national honor, but I would also appeal to President Tinubu to officially recognize him and place his image where it belongs. This would help bring closure to his family.”
He further stated that such recognition would heal and compensate the Abiola family and the nation from the electoral tragedy of 1993.
Senator Kalu expressed confidence that President Tinubu will secure a second term in 2027, citing his administration’s bold economic, social, and political policies.
He emphasized that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains committed to zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to Tinubu, ensuring a North-South power balance.
“The good news is that we shall win again, and President Tinubu will return. Many Presidents in Nigeria who have not done very well—I won’t call any names—still won their second term. We are appealing to Nigerians to support us. We are not going to ruffle ourselves with the APC convention. We have only one presidential candidate: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Kalu cited economic reforms already yielding positive results, particularly in the manufacturing sector, where the cost of production has dropped from 23% last year to 18.5% this year.
He also pointed to stabilization in the exchange rate as a sign that Tinubu’s reforms are working, despite initial economic difficulties.
“It might be very difficult today, very hard, and people are complaining, but the reform is trickling down. Someone just told me this morning that the Dollar is now ₦1,490, so the reform is working, but we should be patient.”
Senator Kalu thanked Babangida for clarifying that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo-led coup but a Nigerian military coup.
“People believed for a long time that the 1966 coup was an Igbo coup, but I am grateful that Babangida has corrected that narrative. However, I don’t need Babangida to tell me that the coup was not executed by the Igbos. That is why I am a true Nigerian. The coup was a Nigerian coup, planned and executed by the military. Some people failed to do their jobs, and unfortunately, the Igbos have had to bear the brunt. That is not fair.”
Kalu emphasized the need for historical accuracy and national unity, stating that misrepresentation of past events has led to unnecessary divisions in Nigeria.
