Shehu Yar’Adua Told Me To Step Down For MKO Abiola

Atiku: Shehu Yar’Adua Asked Me to Step Down for MKO Abiola at SDP Primaries

Former Vice President and ex-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that his late political mentor, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, directed him to withdraw from the 1993 Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries in favor of MKO Abiola.

Atiku shared this revelation during an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie of Untold Stories, where he provided insights into the political dynamics that shaped that historic moment.

Why Atiku Stepped Down for MKO Abiola

Atiku explained that the instruction to step down came after Yar’Adua’s private meeting with MKO Abiola in Jos. He narrated how he urged Abiola to arrive in Jos in time for the primaries, fearing that if he didn’t, Babagana Kingibe could emerge as the party’s flagbearer.

“I told him, ‘If you don’t come to Jos, there’s a strong chance Kingibe will be elected, and I know you wouldn’t want that. So, you better come, no matter how late.’”

According to Atiku, Yar’Adua later held a closed-door discussion with Abiola, after which he instructed him to step down.

“When we got to the meeting in Ambassador Kwande’s house, all Yar’Adua told me was, ‘Turaki.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He said, ‘Step down for MKO Abiola.’ And I responded, ‘Okay, sir. I have stepped down.’”

Governors Opposed Atiku as MKO Abiola’s Running Mate

Atiku also revealed that SDP governors resisted the idea of him being chosen as Abiola’s running mate. They reportedly threatened to withdraw support if he was selected over Babagana Kingibe.

IBB’s Regret Over the Annulment of June 12 Election

Despite MKO Abiola’s victory at the polls, the election was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB). This controversial decision sparked national outrage and is still regarded as a dark moment in Nigeria’s political history.

However, in February 2025, IBB publicly expressed regret over his decision to nullify the results. In an interview, he admitted that the election was free, fair, and credible but justified his actions as being influenced by political pressure at the time.

Conclusion

Atiku Abubakar’s revelation sheds light on the internal political strategies within the SDP in 1993 and the role of Shehu Yar’Adua in shaping Nigeria’s democratic history. His withdrawal from the race ultimately paved the way for MKO Abiola’s emergence as the SDP presidential candidate.

For a deeper analysis of Nigeria’s political history, check out this BBC News report on June 12 democracy struggles: BBC News – Nigeria’s 1993 Election.