GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA: Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO Abiola)

• Born 24 August, 1937 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

• MKO Abiola was a Nigerian billionaire, businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Egba clan. He was the Aare Ona Kankafo of Yoruba land.

• In 1993, he ran for the presidency. The election was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers, with Abiola winning even in his Northern opponent’s home state, Kano. Abiola won over two-thirds of Nigerian states. However, the election was annulled by his very good friend, Ibrahim Babangida, causing a political crisis which led to General Sani Abacha seizing power later that year.

• Chief MKO Abiola died in suspicious circumstances shortly after the death of General Abacha, on the day that he was due to be released, 7 July 1998.

• Abiola was awarded the GCFR posthumously on 6 June, 2018 by the incumbent President, General Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria’s democracy day was changed to June 12.

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