The memory of June 12 has continued to linger in our hearts. A day a true democrat, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola who later died after fighting a great battle to claim his mandate as the President of Nigeria following his win in the general election.
June 12, 1993 was the day Nigerians in their millions trooped out to express their democratic will in an election which was undisputedly adjudged as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, an election which the former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida later annulled to the shock,anger and surprise of many.
Chief Moshood Kasimawo Abiola died with the dream he once nurtured. He never became the President the people wished he would be despite winning the election.
Nigerians in their anger swung into action and protested the annulment, the consequence of which forced Babangida to step aside and hand over power to Ernest Shonekan on August 27, 1993, as the head of Interim National Government.
There have been several attempts to eliminate the idea of June 12 but Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Governor of Lagos back then ensured he regularly declared the day a work free day to immortalize and recognize the significant efforts of Chief Abiola.
After a lot of trial and error, Former President Goodluck Jonathan wanted to test the popularity of MKO Abiola among the Yoruba’s and decided to rename the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University of Lagos,(MAULAG). This idea was a stillbirth and eminent alumnus of the university rejected the idea in its entirety. They were of the opinion that name of buildings can be used to immortalize people but not an Institution where people carry her certificates for consistency and growth as far as ranking is concerned. After much ado, the school retained its original name.
When President Buhari came, it was his desire to bring the Yoruba people nearer and to appreciate their support for his ambition, so in 2018 he declared June 12 as Democracy Day instead of May 29, an action which earned him applause; he was praised for giving federal recognition to the cause of the late democrat-Chief Moshood Kasimawo Abiola.
But according to a statement credited to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, he said the Federal Government has done enough for late Chief MKO Abiola and Nigerians shouldn’t expect anything further.
2023 is another June 12 and the president is expected to address Nigerians. This will be his last June 12 address as the president of Nigeria. As the nation awaits the Presidential Broadcast on June 12, Nigerians are eager to hear the President Muhamadu Buhari pronounce Chief Moshood Abiola as the presumed winner of 1993 Election and also an announcement of a posthumous recognition as the President of Nigeria. Will that be too much to expect?
Not only that, the President should also tell us those behind the death of the Late Moshood Abiola while in prison. This act, if exposed, will let the sleeping dogs lie.
SAMUEL TAIWO ADESILE – JUNE 12,1998
Mr Samuel Taiwo Adesile, a banker turned politician also fought for June 12 and democracy. He loved people more than himself. He cherished and wanted everything good for Nigeria. In his quest to achieve goodness for his country, and his fellow men,he died on June 12,1998. He is the father of Tosin Adesile, Journalist and Editor of Sparklight Newspaper.
Continue to rest in the Lord.
Written by Tosin Adesile