Two former Nigerian presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd) were conspicuously absent at a ceremony for the conferment of national honours on the presumed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola; foremost human right lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others.
Secretary to the federal government of Nigeria, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Tuesday, informed the gathering that the two ex-presidents had expressed regrets for their individual inability to be present at the occasion.
Babangida was the military Head of State in June 1993 when Abiola was denied his victory at the presidential election while Obasanjo was the main beneficiary of the struggle against the military for Abiola to reclaim his mandate, yet he did not recognise Abiola throughout his tenure.