THE ILL TREATMENT AND INJUSTICE DONE TO CHIEF MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO OLAWALE ABIOLA (1937-1998): A Memorable Evil Deeds in Nigeria History and Democracy.
Late Chief Accountant MKO Abiola, born on August, 1937 in Abeokuta in the present Ogun state was a business tycoon and politican who according to Wikipedia joined politics at the age of 19 under the NCNC. A certified Chartered Accountant of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Scotland, MKO Abiola was a business tycoon which he painstakingly derived his wealth from. A Muslim who spearheaded the entry of Nigeria to Organization of Islamic Countries, MKO Abiola was regarded as a Nigeria philanthropist and state man. A politician, the intention of MKO Abiola for president was far fetched in 1979 when the military handed power to civilians but was aborted in the 1983 military takeover.
#THE_1993_PRESIDENTIAL_ELECTION
Chief Abiola in February, 1993 contested for president under Social Democratic Party (SDP) with his counterpart Baba Gana Kingibe of People's Front. He won his primaries and went in battle with Kingibe and was victorious as he won in atmost all the geographical zones of Nigeria, and dismayingly Kano, the home town of his opponent, Baba Gana Kingibe in June 12, 1993. History has it that the election was seen as the most free and fair election in Nigeria both by local and International Bodies. No doubt, the results were annulled by the IBB military administration under the pretext of allegations of unfairness which were not proved till date and the results were held.
History has it that late Chief MKO Abiola was a personal friend of IBB and is believed to have partake fully in IBB military takeover. Also remember that another close friend of IBB, Gen. Mamman Vasta who was executed on a cop he did not partake in which were one among the reasons late Gen. Gideon Orkar carried a cop that led to his execution as well in 1990. This inconclusiveness of a free and fair election led to vigorous tension and political crises in Nigeria which led to military takeover again in 1993 with late Gen. Abacha as president. In 1994, after returning from international trip, late Chief Abiola declared himself Nigerian president in Lagos and was accused of treason and accordingly sent to prison that year.
History has it that, the second wife of Abiola, late Kudirat Abiola was assassinated in 1996 in Lagos when she declared public support for her husband who was in prison. What an inhuman treatment! Kudirat died while her husband was in prison and her assassins were not and are not brought to book till date. Chief Abiola later died in circumstances that were conspicuous in July 7, 1998 (a day he was due to be released in prison) shortly after the death of Gen. Abacha. What killed late Abiola is unknown till date. Although the Gen. Abacha's security officer, Al-mustapha alleged that Abiola was beaten to death. Al-mustapha was detained by Nigerian government but was later released.
Pursuant to the above, the declaration of June 12 as democracy day and award of Grand Commander of Federal Republic (GCFR) respectively in remembrance and honour of late Chief MKO Abiola by His Excellency President Buhari is worthy of praise and accordingly a sign of ironical justice. However, those who assassinated Mrs. Kudirat Abiola in 1996 should be brought to book as well.
Late Chief MKO Abiola's message as seeing in his presidential poster beneath clearly shows that he had a good intention for Nigerians. Let us accordingly remember him.
Ityavzua, Barnabas Gbaior
Academic Author and Historian.
