June 12, 1993; A day that brought out the best and worst in Nigeria, a day that can never be erased in the history of Nigeria, a day that would be remembered by those who dubiously go against the electoral law and the will of its citizenry in Nigeria. A special day that reminded us of a great man whose name is Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (M.K.O).
The first son of his father, Abiola played a vital role during his lifetime as philanthropist. He started his career at a young age; he founded a band at fifteen where he performs at various ceremonies in exchange for food.
He eventually became famous enough to start demanding payment for his performances and used the money to support his family and his secondary education at the Baptist Boys High School Abeokuta, where he excelled.
Abiola worked with Barclays Bank Plc, Ibadan in 1956, the great Icon (Abiola) invested heavily in Nigeria and West Africa. He founded Abiola Farms, Abiola bookshops, Radio Communications Nigeria, Wonder bakeries, Concord Press, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil International Ltd, Africa Ocean Lines, Habib Bank, Decca W.A. Ltd, and Abiola Football Club.
He also managed to perform his duties as Chairman of the G15 business council, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Patron of the Kwame Nkrumah Foundation, Patron of the WEB Du Bois foundation, trustee of the Martin Luther King foundation and director of the International Press Institute.
THE ELECTION AND HIS DEATH
Nigerians voted their presidential choice during the June 12, 1993 election between M.K.O Abiola of SDP (Social Democratic Party) and Bashir Tofa of NRC (National Republican Convention). M.K.O defeated Tofa in his hometown Kano with 58.4% and a majority in 20 out of 30 states.
The election was declared Nigeria's freest and fairest election by national and International observers with Abiola even winning, but the election was then annulled by General Ibarahim Babaginda.
In 1994, Abiola declared himself as the lawful President of Nigeria.
However, after declaring himself, he was declared wanted and accused for treason and arrested on orders of General Sani Abacha and was detained for four years.
Moshood Abiola died on July7, 1998, the day he was to be released.
June12 remains a public holiday in Lagos and Ogun states. M.K.O Abiola was known for his charisma and for being the man of the people, he was a freedom fighter, he brought the propagation of democracy to Nigeria.
M.K.O stadium and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic respectively were named after him by the Ogun state government.
LESSONS LEARNT
Nigerians today, had wish the man of the people, the man who wants to make the country great, ruled over them 23 years back. If he was allowed to rule, the country might be a big Nation and Nigeria wouldn’t be struggling to find her feet in the committee of developed nations.
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