Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, is more than worthy of this June 12 Democracy Day holiday lately declared in his honour by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In our recently concluded 2018 NECO SSCE, even that examining board was vast in its record to inquire in an objective question thus:
- Who was the Presidential Candidate of SDP in the annulled 1993 Nigerian general election?
A- Bashir Torfa
B- Abubakar Atiku
C- Babagana Kingibe
D- Chief MKO Abiola
E- Tom Ikimi
In this week's Tuesday Government class where we usually have time to critique past questions, Deborah Obidinma, without wasting time hastenly answered D's Chief MKO Abiola. A precise, correct answer as that! I presumed it's still fresh in her memory when I explored Aborted Third Republic political parties, giving a sound note of caution that they should never be confused by arguments from different quarters: "Both SDP, on whose ticket MKO Abiola ran, and NRC, which Bashir Torfa contested were the two parties constitutionally allowed to run during that Republic. It was in that period Nigeria practised Two-Party System in her history. Both were the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida government-formed power-hustling platforms. They worn and bore the implicit stamps of military cronyism and consent."
It is noteworthy that almost no foreign journalists were given permission to report on that election of June 12, 1993, nor were they allowed to cover it, but Nigerian journalists in collaboration with electoral observers from international organisations such as ECOWAS, AU, EU, UN, unanimously agreed the election was Nigeria's freest and fairest, and in favour of the Abeokuta man, MKO. In spite of convincing evidences coming from the poll, the government of Ibrahim Babangida, on June 23, 1993, miraculously annulled the results of the election, to an extent he suspended the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on the invalid pretext that the electioneering process had been marred with administrative and legal complications.
Fast forward three years of assumption in office of the Buhari/Osinbajo presidency; 18 years after the rebirth, so to say, eventual return of democracy in the country; and on the eve of another general elections, we commend President Muhammadu Buhari, for remembering a man whose mandate was stolen in what appeared as day-light robbery.
Special thanks to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his living ilks of the 90s NADECO for their relentless effort in making this a reality. The man I often refer to the original "Power behind the Throne" of this administration has once again display he is a proven great democrat and master of the game. Indeed, no matter how far and fast falsehood has traveled, it must eventually be overtaken by truth. Long live to you, Jagaban, the able husband of Oluremi.
Baban Daura deserves more accolades for this declaration. Sai Buhari: 4+4!
- Adedayo Osho is a political scientist, teacher of government and freelance journalist based in Abuja. You can reach him on text or WhatsApp via +2349030589989
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