The Nigerian government has been urged to recognise the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola as a former president following admittance by the former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, that MKO Abiola won the annulled 1993 presidential election.
The Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, made the call while speaking to Journalists in Gombe on Friday.
He said, “First, you have to salute former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, for coming out to have the courage and confidence to speak that truth for the first time.
“Though it is coming late, it is better late than never. Let me emphasise that it is a lesson to other leaders; they should know that truth will always be truth and it shall be out no matter how long it will take.
“At least, it will correct some wrongs and certain things, but I want to challenge those concerned that there should be some form of compensation.”
According to him, it was not enough for the former military leader to admit MKO Abiola won the election; the government must go beyond just saying it.
“It is not enough to say yes, he won, Government must go beyond just saying it, let there be a form of serious compensation for him as well as all those who were denied their rights during the period of the election.
“If we do that, it will serve some purposes, we will not allow anyone to draw us back as a country. Don’t just say we forgive without any form of compensation, that will be just rhetoric.
“Let it be backed with some form of compensation so that people will stop this evil of denying people their legitimate rights.
“We had a time when Nigerians went out to vote for a man, they did not care about his religion, his region, we just needed a leader who can lead us successfully.
“The reason why we are where we are today in Nigeria, is, we are giving leadership to people we don’t even trust or believe that they can deliver. Nigerians trusted MOK Abiola without fighting about religion, we were just talking about a leader,” he added.
Continuing, he stated that Nigeria as a country is still in search of a good pilot to fly its plane, saying the current crop of leadership are going to crash the country.
“With all sense of responsibility, if you go to the airport today and there is a flight, an aeroplane parked and they said the Pilot is sick, he cannot fly, but, there is a Pastor or an Imam, Southerner or Northerner who can fly the plane though not a trained and licenced pilot, who will enter that plane?
“That is the same thing with leadership, we will wait for the pilot to get better before we fly. We are looking for a good pilot, the right, trained pilot qualified to fly the plane. That is why in this country we are being flown by people who are going to crash us.
“We have crashed in many fields in this country. In education, economy, public relations, so many things because those who were given the jobs are not experts.
“Let’s give Nigeria’s leadership to those who have the qualifications to lead us and they will take us to the promised land. I wish that we have interest in what MKO Abiola promised, though a dead story now,” he further said.
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