In August 1993, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, issued a passionate plea to then-military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, to reverse the annulment and “set Nigeria free.” Abiola made this appeal during an interview with ITN News in London, where he had fled into exile following increasing threats at home. Just weeks later, on August 26, 1993, Babangida stepped down after eight years in power. He handed over to an unelected interim government