A former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sinatu Ojikutu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to officially recognise the late winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, as a former President of Nigeria.

Naijaonpoint reports that Ojikutu’s call adds to mounting demands across the country for the Federal Government to formally recognise Abiola as a past president, citing his electoral victory and sacrifice for democracy.

Although the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously honoured Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic title, reserved for presidents, and declared June 12 as Democracy Day, many Nigerians believe this falls short of the full recognition he deserves.

Prominent figures, including former Abia State governor and current senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, as well as ex-Lagos lawmaker Jude Idimogu, have previously urged Tinubu to place Abiola’s portrait among past leaders at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking with Saturday Punch, Ojikutu, who served as deputy to the late Governor Michael Otedola before the 1993 coup, expressed surprise at Tinubu’s inaction on the matter.

“What is he (Tinubu) doing that he has not recognised Abiola as a former President after all the paparazzi? I thought he said he was one of the strong supporters of Abiola and the June 12 struggle? What is he waiting for?” she asked.

She argued that Tinubu’s first days in office should have included the formal declaration, given his long association with the pro-democracy movement.

Ojikutu also criticised Tinubu for not renaming Lagos State University after its founder, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and for failing to seize symbolic moments to honour Abiola.

“Even the day he said subsidy is over, he could have said, ‘And now, I declare MKO our former president.’ Those two things could have softened the hearts of the people, especially considering how he emerged as President,” she added.