JUNE 12 and HOPE '93 - Nigeria's Redemption denied!

"While many are left to history to be taught great lessons, few give all within their reach for history to be made so that generations can be beneficiaries."

This special Democracy Day publication is dedicated to the memory of MKO ABIOLA (24th August 1937 – 7th July 1998).

While growing up as a child, there used to be a calendar in my father’s room which had a picture showing Abiola stepping down from a van. This calendar spoke a lot to me about the famous struggle of MKO Abiola for a better Nigeria through his mandate of “HOPE ’93” most especially because the events took place few months before I was born. As a quote goes “Cowards die many times before their death”, he refused to die before his death but courageously fought for his mandate till his death.

Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, GCFR, born on 24th August 1937 was a Nigerian businessman, politician, publisher, an aristocrat and a philanthropist. He was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. His name Kashimawo, means “Let us wait and see” as he was his father’s 23rd child but the first to survive infancy, hence the name ‘Kashimawo.’ He was properly named Moshood by his parents at age 15.

At the early age of nine, he started his business selling firewood gathered in the forest at dawn before school, to support his parents and siblings and at the age of 15, he founded a band and would perform at various ceremonies in exchange for food but was able to require payment for his performances, which he used to support his family and his secondary education.

He later obtained a government scholarship in 1960 to study at University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK where he earned a degree in accountancy and qualified as a chartered accountant and afterwards became a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

After holding different professional positions both locally and internationally, he went on to set up Abiola Farms, Abiola Bookshops, Radio Communications Nigeria, Wonder Bakeries, Concord Press, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil International Ltd, Africa Oceans Lines, Habib Bank and Abiola Football Club thereby heavily investing in Nigeria and West Africa. He COURAGEOUSLY managed to work his way out of poverty through hard work.  His bookshops provided textbooks in the 1980s when imported textbooks became out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians as the naira was then devalued. He also made daily necessities such as rice and soap available at affordable prices in the market. 

Amidst the political struggle of Nigeria during the era of military regime, Abiola made his candidacy for president known in February 1993 and won his party’s primary election in March. His political message was an optimistic future for Nigeria with slogans such as “Farewell to poverty”, “At last! Our rays of Hope” and the “Burden of schooling.” His economic policy included negotiations with foreign creditors and better management of the country’s international debts, in addition, increased cooperation with the foreign community while presenting himself as someone the international community can trust.

After the election on June 12, 1993 which was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers with MKO Abiola winning with great numbers of votes nationwide showing his wide acceptance by Nigerians, it was annulled by the then military head of state, causing a political crisis in the nation which led to another military coup.

In year 1994, Moshood Abiola courageously declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria and was therefore declared wanted and was accused of treason then arrested on the order of the then military president who sent 200 Police vehicles to bring him into custody. He was detained for four years in solitary confinement with a Bible, Qur’an and fourteen guards as companions. 

He was given a condition for a release only if he renounced his mandate but he courageously stood to his ground and refused to do so, although the military government offered to compensate him and refund his extensive election expenses.

On 7th July, 1998, Abiola died the day he was due to be released. Unlike Nelson Mandela who won an election and became his country’s president after his release from prison, Abiola didn't make it out of the prison alive but the truth is that his COURAGE never died, he reaped the reward of his courage even when he was no more as his courage has contributed immensely to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy hence Nigeria marks June 12 as her Democracy Day. 

Never be a coward but take the bull by the horn and take bold steps towards reaching your zenith in life. 

Until young and old people who desire to be in governance emulate the courage of men like Abiola putting aside greed, selfishness, religious and ethnic bigotry, pride, arrogance, fetish and superstitious addictions  and embracing selflessness, humility in service to humanity, right morality, sincerity, brotherly love, the nation Nigeria will still be lagging behind her God’s desired height.   

Happy Democracy Day Nigeria! 

Reported and Edited by PraiseGod Wome