| Abiola’s brother
joins IBB campaign team • Says ‘I accept offer
to be patron whole-heartedly’
By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta
Monday, August 2, 2004
Political watchers in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital were stunned
on Saturday as Alhaji Mubashiru Abiola, younger brother to
the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections,
the late Basorun MKO Abiola joined the campaign train of General
Ibrahim Babangida for 2007.
Alhaji Abiola, who is the patriarch of the Abiola dynasty,
was made a patron of IBB Vision 2007, and he described the
conferment as a great honour. He equally told journalists
that he would speak to Nigerians later about his new role.
The IBB team, led by the National Coordinator, IBB Vision
2007, Alhaji Ahmed Makama and his national officers arrived
the Gaa Sabo home of Alhaji Abiola at about 4.45p.m. and were
led upstairs amidst fanfare and chorus of the IBB slogan.
Dressed in spotted kaftan attire, Mubashiru and some family
members, including Alhaji Ramoni Abiola, exchanged pleasantries
with the IBB campaigners.
At exactly 5.00p.m., Alhaji Makama began: "We are here
to welcome you into the IBB political family. It is a well-known
fact in this country that Abiola’s family and Babangida’s
family have many things in common. I have good news from Mr.
President (IBB) to deliver. He is ever willing and would ever
be ready to be there for the family. I want to use this opportunity
to express his gratitude to you in person for all the support
that you have been giving to this campaign group."
Continuing, Makama said: " Come 2007, we have it on good
authority, IBB is coming back to be the president of this
country and he has decided to come back and right the wrongs.
Once again, may I assure you that with or without the threat
either from Atiku or Marwa, no millions of Atiku Abubakar
that can stop the moving train of Babangida. I have the instruction
and honour to confer on you the membership and patron of this
honourable campaign group."
"The IBB dynasty has no grudges against Abiola dynasty
and we have ever been prepared and vowed that the name and
the legacy left behind by the late MKO Abiola shall be upheld,
come 2007 when IBB will be back in power. They used to be
good friends and the friendship would not stop because MKO
is not alive. You should pick it up. We have offered you hands
of fellowship today," Makama stated.
"We are here today to pay you homage as the scion of
the Abiola dynasty. The country still needs your advice, your
service. We believe come 2007 definitely, IBB will right the
wrong. Nobody is a paragon of perfection, but a lot of atonements
have been made, but definitely, our experience will perfect
our future come 2007", he said.
Responding, Alhaji Abiola said: "Gentlemen, in fact I
don’t have much to say today. I think I will have to
reserve my comments till next time. Thank you very much, gentlemen".
When asked how he would carry out his task as the patron,
Alhaji Abiola who looked pale said: "The answer to everything
will be given later, but let me tell you that I accept the
offer as the patron wholeheartedly".
It will be recalled that General Ibrahim Babangida as the
military President in 1993 annulled the free and fair election
in which Late M.K.O. Abiola, brother to Mubashiru, won convincingly.
Abiola was later clamped into detention as he fought to revalidate
his mandate during the reign of General Abacha. He later died
mysteriously purportedly of heart attack in detention.
Earlier, during the official launch of the IBB Vision 2007
in the state, Makama said that IBB’s bid to come to
power was to better the lots of Nigerians and not himself.
According to him, his election would not be based on ethnic
or religious sentiments, saying: " IBB supported Obasanjo
into power and he will continue to support him (Obasanjo)
until the power which IBB brought to Abeokuta returns to him
(IBB).
"IBB has made human resources in Ogun State. Through
his generosity and benevolence, he has made both human and
financial contributions to people. As a gratitude, you must
be ready to pay back his good deeds which he has done to the
state."
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