Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The widow of Nigeria’s democracy icon and winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola, has received backing from a pan-African think tank for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, with supporters describing her candidature as an opportunity for Nigeria and Africa to provide leadership at the centre of global affairs.
The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), a pan-African think tank focused on advancing Africa’s development through research, innovation and strategic partnerships, has endorsed Duke-Abiola’s aspiration to succeed UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose tenure is expected to end on Dec. 31, 2026.
Duke-Abiola, a Nigerian law professor, human rights advocate and stateswoman, is the widow of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the businessman and the winner of Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
MKO Abiola’s struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate became a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history and later became a symbol of the country’s fight for democracy, justice and popular sovereignty.
Announcing its support, APRC said Duke-Abiola’s background in law, diplomacy, human rights advocacy and sustainable development placed her among Nigerians capable of providing global leadership.
Prof. Edward Agbai, APRC’s Deputy Executive-Coordinator, disclosed the organisation’s position in a nomination letter made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Agbai said the consortium welcomed the nomination conveyed through the Nigerian National Think Tank, describing Duke-Abiola’s willingness to serve the international community as a significant contribution to global governance.
“We commend your distinguished record of public service and your willingness to serve the international community at the highest level,” Agbai stated.
He, however, noted that the UN Secretary-General selection process requires the formal backing of a member state, explaining that candidates must be officially presented by their governments before they can be considered.
According to him, nominations are submitted by UN member states to the President of the UN Security Council, after which the Council evaluates candidates and recommends one nominee to the UN General Assembly for appointment.
Agbai stressed that, for a Nigerian candidate, the authority to submit such a nomination rests with the President of Nigeria through appropriate constitutional and diplomatic channels.
He therefore called for President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement of Duke-Abiola’s candidature, arguing that Nigeria’s backing would strengthen the push for qualified African representation in one of the world’s most influential leadership positions.
APRC said presenting Duke-Abiola as Nigeria’s candidate would showcase the country’s capacity to offer a leader with “formidable intellectual, governmental and diplomatic stature” at a time of complex global challenges.
The consortium further argued that her candidature would reinforce Africa’s position as a contributor to global solutions in peacebuilding, development, diplomacy and institutional reform.
“For Africa, her candidature would represent the continent not as a passive recipient of international policy, but as a source of global leadership, ideas, mediation, institutional wisdom and moral authority,” APRC said.
The push for an African candidate comes as the international community begins discussions over the succession of Guterres, who has led the UN since 2017.
The UN Secretary-General, appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, serves as the organisation’s chief administrative officer and plays a central role in global diplomacy, conflict resolution, humanitarian response and sustainable development efforts.
For supporters of Duke-Abiola, her possible emergence would carry both diplomatic significance and historical symbolism — linking Nigeria’s democratic struggle of June 12 with a renewed bid for African leadership on the world stage.