12 Facts You Need To Know About M.K.O Abiola And June 12

June 12, 1993 to this moment seemed just like yesterday and it is not just another calendar day in Nigeria; in progressive ideological circles, today is regarded as the authentic ‘Democracy Day’ as against the ‘May 29′ date popularly celebrated by the Federal Government.

Here are twelve (12)  important facts you need to know about the date.

1. The date is celebrated in honour of an annulled presidential election.

Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, often referred to as M. K. O. Abiola, ran for the presidency in 1993, and is widely regarded as the presumed winner of the inconclusive election since no official final results were announced. He died in 1998.

READ ALSO: “Buhari Must Name Aso-Rock After MKO Abiola”

2. The election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida because of alleged evidence that they were corrupt and unfair, a political crisis that ensued which led to General Sani Abacha seizing power later that year.

3. In 1994 Moshood Abiola declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria in the Epetedo area of Lagos island, an area mainly populated by (Yoruba) Lagos Indigenes. He had recently returned from a trip to win the support of the international community for his mandate. After declaring himself president he was declared wanted and was accused of treason and arrested on the orders of military President General Sani Abacha, who sent 200 police vehicles to bring him into custody.

Moshood Abiola leaving a Black Maria van under heavy armed guard

4. Moshood Abiola was detained for four years, largely in solitary confinement with a Bible, Qur’an, and fourteen guards as companions.

5. Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua is said to have predicted the annulment to Abiola and warned him against contesting.

READ ALSO: MKO Abiola Is A Living Icon – Kalu

6. Abiola’s involvement in politics started early on in life when he joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) at age 19 in 1979.

7. For the 12 June 1993 presidential elections, Abiola’s running mate was Baba Gana Kingibe. He overwhelmingly defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention.

8. Abiola died under suspicious circumstances shortly after the death of General Abacha. Moshood Abiola on the day that he was due to be released, on 7 July 1998. While the official autopsy stated that Abiola died of natural causes, Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, al-Mustapha has alleged that Moshood Abiola was beaten to death.

9. MKO Abiola used a ‘Hope’ campaign which President Barrack Obama also used:

Moshood Abiola’s Hope ’93 political manifesto

Many people may have paid attention to the word ‘Hope’ being used to convey a message of possibility during Obama’s 2008 election in America, but 15 years before then in Africa’s most populous nation, MKO Abiola became a rallying figure for many Nigerians with his ‘Hope’ campaign.

10. MKO Abiola died for the June 12 mandate but he was not the only June 12 casualty as General Sani Abacha also died in mysterious circumstances on June 8, 1998.

READ ALSO: June 12: Tinubu Opens Up On Late MKO Abiola

11. Chief MKO Abiola’s memory is celebrated in Nigeria and internationally. 12 June remains a public holiday in Lagos and Ogun states and other All progressive Congress party states. MKO Abiola Stadium was named in his honour.

12. The election was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent’s home state.

June 12 is thus a day to remember chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and other democracy martyrs.

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