A close ally of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Late MKO Abiola, Alhaji Sufianu Kazeem has recounted how death truncated his vision for rebirth of New Nigeria, assuring that President Bola Tinubu has the capability to do same.
Alhaji Kazeem said the late Abiola was compassionate about the unity of the country hence the massive support garnered across the Country in 1993.
He submitted that it is very rare to have two of his kind but opined that with the election of Tinubu, another democrat, the Country is on the right footing.
An Ibadan-based business magnate who described Abiola as compassionate, accommodating and generous even to those who never liked him revealed that” Abiola was truly a wealthy man in his days. I was one of the very few who entered Abiola’s bedroom with room most times. In Abiola’s room, you will see currency in various denominations, Naira, Euro, Pounds and Dollars in bulk, all ready to be dashed out to people
He noted that those enjoying Nigeria’s democracy today are the same elements who annulled the 1993 election.
“During the June 12, 1993, election, from the beginning to the end when Abiola was arrested, I was part of it all, the campaign tours, the meetings, review and all, I was part of it.
Alhaji Kazeem said June 12 is a reminder of what prominent Nigerians of good conscience did to bring an end to military junta and once again restore democracy.
“By 2023, it would have been 29 years since these struggles started and were consistently fought! Don’t let us forget how we got here and why we must not travel further with those who directly participated or those who were and have remained complicit in these acts against our collective humanity!
Alhaji Kazeem also recounted his first meeting with the current President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Ibadan in 1972 through one Mrs Tokun who then was working with Daily Sketch in Ibadan.
He said compared to previous elections which were marred by massive fraud, violence and intimidation, the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election was peaceful and credible.
” The presidential poll was adjudged the freest and the fairest in the history of elections in Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, the election was annulled by the then military government led by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida when already the results had indicated an overwhelming victory for Chief MKO Abiola of the SDP.”
Alhaji Kazeem recounted that during the electioneering campaign of Late Abiola, the campaign team including Abiola himself always reported back to former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo at Ota, who is also Abiola’s kinsman not knowing that he was against Abiola.
He also revealed that during the trial of Abiola, he was invited by the power that be then through Late General Oladipo Diya.
“I was in Ibadan when I got a call from Abuja that the Presidency will like to meet with me, Late Lamidi Adedibu and late Oni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.
‘Kola Abiola called me and warned me not to attend the meeting because I might also be set up. So, I didn’t show up for the meeting, if the others showed up, I don’t know.”
He attributed the nonrecognition of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election and the winner, Late Chief Abiola by Obasanjo to hatred and self-glorification of the ex-President.
He commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for deeming it fit to honour Abiola even in death.
“It was not until 25 years later, precisely on June 8, 2018, that President Muhammadu Buhari took a bold step to recognize June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day as against the May 29 date that had hitherto been observed since 1999.
‘The President did not stop at that, he also honoured the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Abiola, with the highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic.”
Alhaji Kazeem stated that the recognition of June 12 as democracy day is not only to celebrate Abiola but also to honour those who fought for the cause and struggle that led to the termination of the era of military rule in Nigeria.
He counselled Nigerians on the need to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is also one of the ardent of the late Abiola in order to properly position the nation for greater heights.
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