The Federal Government may have decided to honour the winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, in recognition of his role in Nigeria‘s democratic structure.
A former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who made this known at the 10th year Fidau prayer in honour of Abiola in Lagos on Monday, said President Umaru Yar’Adua disclosed the plan to him.
Tinubu said “Just this (Monday) morning, I received a message from President Umar Yar’Adua informing me that the Federal Government will definitely honour late MKO Abiola.
“The President added that the recognition, which is due, will come in the not too distant future. He asked me specifically to give this message to the Abiola family.”
The former governor also used the occasion to pour encomium on Abiola whom he described as a man of exemplary courage.
He said, “Abiola will remain the heart of Africa for ever. It is a great thing to remember him. He was a man who fought many battles. He believed in education and knowledge as tools to fight poverty.
“The same agitation for reparation which Abiola fought for has become the New Partnership for Development in Africa, which the United Nations is now promoting.
“We shall continue to fight for the ideals and virtues which he lived and died for. We shall not rest.”
According to Tinubu, Yar’Adua’s promise is expected to end the numerous calls by many prominent Nigerians, civil society groups and students that Abiola be honoured for paying the ultimate price in his quest to actualise his mandate.
Among the dignitaries at the well-attended prayer organised by the Abiola family in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and civil society groups were the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN); and an ex-judge of the International Court of Justice, Hague, Prince Bola Ajibola.
Others include a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae; an ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba; a chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; and former governors Olusegun Osoba (Ogun) and Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti).
Fashola, who had earlier led a team of dignitaries to the newly inaugurated “Abiola Botanical Garden” on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, said the late politician was great hero.
“What the Abiola family is celebrating is the legacy of a truly great person; we are celebrating courage, philanthropy, and vision. Abiola was a bridge-builder who was comfortable with both kings and the poor,” the governor said.
In his own speech, Ajibola said, “Abiola stood for justice even at the risk of his life. I recall advising Abiola in his lifetime against saying openly that he would probe past military administrations, at least not until he became president, but Abiola would hear none of that.
“He insisted that he would prefer for people to know what he was going to do if elected, even before that time.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, who was represented by Ambassador Ahmadu Hamzat, lauded the late business mogul for his forthrightness and achievements in life.
Mohammed said he would offer prayers for the repose of Abiola’s soul in the old caliphate mosque in Sokoto on Monday (yesterday).
Falae in his remark said, “MKO has been gone for 10 years and not only has Nigeria not made progress but we have retrogressed. The bright future he held aloft before us has not materialised.
“The real emergency is here even before they say so; there is total collapse of electricity in Nigeria. A nation that needs at least 30,000 megawatts of electricity has less than 1,000 megawatts today. We are in trouble.
“The ‘HOPE 93’ of Abiola, where is it? There remains leadership vacuum since the death of Abiola.”
Na’Abba said, “Exactly 10 years ago, a respected un-sworn President was taken away by Allah. He won in a freest and fairest election in this country. But he was never allowed to rule by the powers that be, who refused to swear him in. He was widely accepted as he won in Sokoto, Kano and Rivers, among others.
“He was the President of all Nigerians. We pray for the repose of his soul.”
