On June 12, Nigeria marked 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, a milestone that has rekindled the debate on whether MKO Abiola should be declared a former president.
The celebration, previously held on May 29, was shifted to June 12 in 2018 to honor Abiola’s legacy and the annulled 1993 presidential election.
Abiola’s landslide victory in that election was a testament to his popularity, but the military regime’s annulment of the results sparked widespread protests and crackdowns.
Despite the election being deemed free and fair by local and international observers, General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime nullified the results, plunging the country into chaos.
The aftermath saw thousands of Nigerians, including activists, journalists, and politicians, demanding Abiola’s mandate.
However, the military regime responded with force, torturing and killing many. Abiola and his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was assassinated in broad daylight, became symbols of resistance against military rule.
Demand for recognition
Since the democracy day celebration was shifted to June 12, rights activists and Abiola supporters have consistently called for his recognition as a former president.
As reported by the PUNCH in June 2018, the Senate under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki unanimously resolved that former President Buhari should declare Abiola and Kingibe as ex-president and former vice-president and should approve the entitlements due them as former president and vice-president, respectively.
“I think we all agree as a country that the recognition has been long overdue for the contributions of Chief MKO Abiola and the events of the June 12 election. He has done that and we commend that act of recognition that is long overdue…” Senator Saraki was quoted as saying.
Six years after, Debo Adeniran, president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has reiterated this same demand, stating that Abiola’s presidency should be acknowledged. He has however added that June 12 be declared as Bashorun MKO Abiola Day.
Yes or No
This renewed call has sparked intense debate among Nigerians. While some believe Abiola’s election victory and subsequent struggles justify his recognition as a former president, others argue that his alleged ties with the military regime and involvement in coups disqualify him from such honor.
Proponents of Abiola’s recognition argue that there is no credible evidence to support the claims of coup involvement and that his election victory and subsequent struggles for democracy make him a hero. They counter that the allegations are baseless and aimed at tarnishing Abiola’s image.
In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari honored Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), the highest honor in the country. However, the question remains whether Abiola should be declared a former president, a move that would acknowledge his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and provide closure for his supporters.
While he was the Chief Whip of the House in 2018, Mr. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC, Kano State), said that much as it was commendable to recognise Abiola, declaring him President-elect was taking it too far.
He said, “I actually named my first daughter Kudirat in recognition of the struggles to recognise June 12. However, to say that we should declare the results at this point in our political history is impracticable.
“Going that way will not help this country and we should not discuss it on the floor of the National Assembly. I agree that we should honour Abiola. That is okay and it should end there.”
Do you think MKO Abiola deserves to be declared a former president?
