Historic 1993 Presidential Election Results Revealed in IBB’s Book: Abiola’s Victory Nullified

By Emmanuel Kwada

A gripping chapter of Nigeria’s political history unfolds anew with the detailed account of the 1993 presidential election results, as chronicled in General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s (IBB) book. The fiercely contested election, pitting Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) against Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted by Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who was the chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) at that time, saw Abiola emerge victorious—a triumph dramatically overturned when IBB annulled the results, plunging the nation into turmoil.

A Chart showing the 1993 presidential election results by State

Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the election, Nwosu has been praised for his commitment to ensuring the election was free and fair. In his account of the events leading up to the election, Nwosu revealed that he had to gate-crash a meeting of the National Defence and Security Council to convince Babangida to allow the election to go ahead

The numbers, meticulously recorded state by state, paint a vivid picture of a nation divided yet decisive. In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abiola narrowly clinched victory with 19,968 votes to Tofa’s 18,313. However, the battleground states told a broader story of Abiola’s dominance. In Lagos, the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, Abiola crushed his opponent with a staggering 883,865 votes to Tofa’s 149,432. Ondo State delivered an equally resounding endorsement, with Abiola amassing 883,024 votes against Tofa’s 162,994. Oyo, too, leaned heavily toward Abiola, recording 536,011 votes to Tofa’s 105,788.

Yet, Tofa held his own in key northern strongholds. In Bauchi, he commanded an impressive 524,836 votes, dwarfing Abiola’s 339,339. Rivers State also tilted in Tofa’s favor with 640,973 votes to Abiola’s 370,578, while Sokoto handed Tofa a landslide 372,250 votes against Abiola’s modest 97,726. The north-south divide was stark, with Abiola sweeping the southwest and southeast, while Tofa anchored his support in the northeast and northwest.

Nwosu has been praised for his commitment to ensuring the election was free and fair

In the southeast, Abiola reigned supreme. Anambra gave him 212,024 votes to Tofa’s 159,258, and Delta delivered a decisive 327,277 votes against Tofa’s 145,001. Edo and Cross River followed suit, with Abiola securing 205,407 and 189,303 votes, respectively, leaving Tofa trailing. Even in the north-central states, Abiola’s momentum held firm—Plateau awarded him 417,565 votes to Tofa’s 259,394, and Kwara swung dramatically in his favor with 272,270 votes to Tofa’s 80,209.

Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who was the chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) in 1993. Credit: VoE

The final tally, as detailed in IBB’s book, underscored Abiola’s nationwide appeal. With victories in 19 of the 30 states and the FCT, Abiola’s path to the presidency seemed unassailable. Highlights included Ogun (425,725 votes to Tofa’s 59,246), Osun (365,266 to 72,068), and Kaduna, where Abiola edged out Tofa 389,713 to 356,860 in a tightly fought contest.

Tofa, meanwhile, dominated in states like Jigawa (89,836 to Abiola’s 138,552—curiously a rare loss for Tofa despite the text’s implication), Katsina (271,077 to 171,162), and Kebbi (144,808 to 70,219).

But the euphoria of Abiola’s triumph was short-lived. On June 23, 1993, IBB, then military president, nullified the election, citing irregularities—a decision that ignited protests, fractured the nation, and cemented the June 12 election as a symbol of Nigeria’s unfulfilled democratic promise.

The numbers speak for themselves—Abiola won, but history, shaped by IBB’s hand, tells a different tale

The results, now laid bare, reveal a mandate thwarted, with Abiola’s 14 million votes nationwide outpacing Tofa’s 12 million, according to historical estimates tied to these figures.

MKO Abiola the then presidential candidate of SDP. Credit: X 

As Nigeria reflects on this pivotal moment, the data from IBB’s book reignites debate over what might have been. For many, the annulment remains a wound unhealed, a testament to a democracy denied. The numbers speak for themselves—Abiola won, but history, shaped by IBB’s hand, tells a different tale.

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