Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola is widely recognised as the hero of Nigeria’s democracy. He ran a colourful campaign with the theme FAREWELL TO POVERTY. The sing song everywhere was:
On the march again
On the march again
Looking for Mr President
On the march again
On the march again
MKOooooo IS OUR MAN oh
MKOooooo IS OUR MAN oh.
He won the 12th June 1993 Presidential election, reputed to be the freest and most transparent in the annals of national elections in Nigeria. He had a Pan-Nigerian mandate, winning even in Kano, the home state of his opponent, Alhaji Bashir Tofa.
I recollect that I had to leave my residence at the Oluseyi-Eleyele area of Ibadan to cast my ballot on the University campus where I normally vote. The distance is about 8 kilometres. Moreover, there was going to be a restriction on vehicular movement from 7 am till evening. That meant I had to leave home not later than 6:15 am. No amount of sacrifice could have been too much for a citizen.
Unfortunately, the election was subsequently annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. Abiola was arrested by the General Sanni Abacha administration in 1994 and Abiola subsequently died in detention in July 1998, four years after his incarceration.
His supreme sacrifice eventually paved the way for a civilian democratic dispensation which was ushered in on 29th May 1999.
Recognition for MKO Abiola’s sacrifice came from the man from Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari. He conferred the country’s highest honour, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic on Abiola posthumously in 2018; June 12 Democracy Day and the National Stadium in Abuja was deservedly named after him. The recognition of greatness in others is in itself a sign of greatness. Thank you, PMB, for giving honour to whom it is richly due.
Happy democracy day as we pray for the repose of the soul of the late MKO ABIOLA (1937-1998).
Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka is of the Department of Geology and the 12th Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan.
