Nigerians honour MKO Abiola, Ogun declares holiday
From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi (Abeokuta),
Remi Akinleye (Lagos) and Seun Adeoye (Osogbo)
HONOUR came yesterday for the man widely deemed the midwife of Nigeria's current democratic dispensation, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, as Nigerians praised his sacrifice for the nation and the Ogun State government declared July 7 of every year public holiday in his memory.
The politician and business mogul, whose electoral victory for the nation's presidency on June 12 1993 was annulled by the then military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, died in military custody on July 7, 1998.
In Lagos State, some notable human rights activists and Abiola family members gathered at his Ikeja home to lay wreaths on his grave. One of his children, whose mother, Alhaja Kudirat Olayinka, also died in the struggle to revalidate the mandate, Hafsat, was in Osun State as part of efforts to honour him.
Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel announced the public holiday at a Moslem prayer for the deceased's Gbagura, Abeokuta family home. The governor said that the gesture was in recognition of the departed politician's contributions to the state and the nation.
The late Chief Abiola's younger brother, Bashiru, expressed the family's appreciation of the state government's decision.
Alhaji Bashiru, however, called on the Federal Government to emulate the state government.
He said that nothing would be too much to honour Abiola who paid the supreme price for the present day democracy.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to let its economic policies have a human face, believing that the late businessman would have lessened the burden of the common man if he had been allowed in office.
The former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bashorun Muyiwa Oladipo, was full of praises for Daniel's administration over the gesture.
"It is a right step in the right direction," Oladipo told The Guardian.
He added: "We have to appreciate the contributions of our heroes, so I am glad Governor Daniel has done this and I thank him for it on behalf of the Abiola family, and all the pro-democracy activists."
The former Speaker also appealed to the Federal Government to immortalise the late Abiola.
A prominent lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, in his reaction commended Governor Daniel for the decision.
To Abayomi, the honour was in fact long overdue. He said: "It is not the personality of Abiola that we should honour but the symbolism, because in dying, Abiola reminds us of the difficulty with which liberty and democracy can be attained."
To mark the day, the Abiola family house where the event took place, wore a new look, courtesy of the state government.
The two buildings at the compound were renovated, roofed and painted.
Top politicians at the prayer session were the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Titi Oseni and other legislators, commissioners as well as the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Chief Segun Mimiko.
The Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) yesterday laid wreaths at Abiola's grave at his Ikeja, Lagos residence.
They were led by a prominent rights activist, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti.
Ransome-Kuti told the gathering that the late M.K.O Abiola paid a great price for Nigerians to enjoy democracy.
"It is Chief M.K.O. Abiola who gave Nigerians the freedom that we are enjoying today," he said.
One of Abiola's widows, Remi, said: "My husband, Abiola, sacrificed himself for Nigeria, but it is a great surprise that this place can be dry like this because when my husband was alive, I can remember how many people came to this house."
Wondering what lay for the deceased politician in future considering the current neglect, Remi said: "This is just the sixth year. I know that by the time it is 10 years, I don't think I will see people here again."
She continued: "The late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, my husband, laboured for what President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu are enjoying today."
The Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola yesterday called for conscious efforts to keep alive the memories of the late politician and others who laid down their lives to ensure the enthronement of democracy in the country.
Oyinlola also advised Nigerian politicians to ensure the sustenance of the nation's democracy.
He made the remarks in Osogbo while playing host to Miss Hafsat Abiola, who is the initiator of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND).
The governor noted that Hafsat's assassinated mother, Kudirat, equally helped in the realisation of the country's democracy, adding: "Her death should not be in vain."
While paying glowing tributes to Hafsat's parents, Oyinlola said their contributions to the nation would remain indelible, as their names would be written in gold.
Speaking earlier, Miss Abiola thanked the governor for what she called his openness and generosity for people around him, especially those in need of help.
She intimated Oyinlola that a book titled "Remembering Kudirat Abiola" would soon be presented to the public and thanked him for his contributions towards the project.
A prominent indigene, Dr. Lateef Adegbite who was at the prayer session in Abeokuta, expressed regrets that Abiola is yet to be officially recognised by the Federal Government.
He said: "I continue to nurse a deep regret and grievance that this man (Abiola) who sacrificed his life, his comfort and immense wealth that the seed of democracy may grow and prosper is yet to be properly acknowledged by the Nigerian government authorities."
Adegbite, however, acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian media and some individuals who he said had been sustaining the celebration of the late Abiola's life.
He said: "We must today avail ourselves of the opportunity of this thoughtful remembrance event staged by Governor Daniel to call on the Nigerian authorities to take concrete steps to immortalise the human phenomenon called MKO."
Adegbite, who recalled growing up with the deceased, said: "In this regard, I suggested that either his birthday or the day of his death be declared a public holiday. Ogun State should set the ball rolling and other Odua states (states in the South-West) should take similar decisions. MKO` belongs to all Nigeria."
Adegbite, who is the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), called on the Federal government to respond to the yearnings of Nigerians by immediately immortalising MKO".
He pleaded that a resolution by the Senate two years ago to name the Abuja Stadium after Abiola be actualised without further delay.
He also suggested that either the University of Lagos or the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) be named after the late politician.
Adegbite urged the political class to desist from desecrating the memory of Abiola through acts and practices, which tend to drag democracy into disrepute, saying such acts were political bickering, violence and assassinations.
Extolling the virtues of the late Abiola, he said the deceased had a burning desire to render patriotic service to the country hence his decision to contest the Presidency.
Adegbite recalled a conversation he once had with Abiola when both of them were on their way from Abuja in Abiola's private jet.
His words: "He (Abiola) sought my advice whether he should accept the offer being proposed to make him the chairman of the Transition Council which President Babangida planned to set up.
"My reaction was instant and I counselled him not to accept the appointment. I told him that it was a ploy to destroy him politically. He pleaded: "Egbon", let me accept the office, I want to show what I can do for this country even for just six months."
The NSCIA scribe said the crowning glory for Abiola came when he won the June 12 presidential election, which was adjudged the fairest and freest.
To him, the only consolation Nigerians have is that Abiola's death paved the way for the present democratic dispensation in the country.
At the end of the speech, which was received with applause and emotions, Daniel said Dr. Adegbite "has challenged us. It is in this vein that I want to announce that from now, the date of the death of MKO Abiola which happened on 7th day of July will be declared public holiday every year."
