Moshood Abiola
GCFR | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Abeokuta, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Ogun State, Nigeria) | 24 August 1937
Died | 7 July 1998 Abuja, Nigeria | (aged 60)
Spouses | Simbiat Shoaga
(m. 1960; died 1992)Adebisi Oshin (m. 1974)Doyinsola Aboaba (m. 1981)
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Occupation |
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Abiola ran for the
Abiola was a personal friend of Ibrahim Babangida[11] and he is believed to have supported Babangida's coming to power.[12]
Abiola's support in the June 1993 presidential election cut across all geo-political zones and religious divisions, among a few politicians to accomplish such a spread during his time.[13] By the time of his death, he had become an unexpected symbol of democracy.[14]
Early life
M. K. O. Abiola was born in
Abiola attended African Central School, Abeokuta for his primary education.[19] As a young boy, he assisted his father in the cocoa trade,[20] but by the end of 1946, his father's business venture was failing precipitated by the destruction of a cocoa consignment declared by a produce inspector to be of poor quality grade and unworthy for export and to be destroyed immediately.[21]
At the age of nine, he started his first business selling firewood gathered in the forest at dawn before school, to support his father and siblings.[22] Abiola founded a band at the age of fifteen and would perform at various ceremonies in exchange for food. Abiola was eventually able to require payment for his performances, and used the money to support his family and his secondary education at the Baptist Boys High School Abeokuta. Abiola was the editor of the school magazine The Trumpeter, Olusegun Obasanjo was deputy editor.[23] At the age of 19, he joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons ostensibly because of its stronger pan-Nigerian origin compared with the Obafemi Awolowo-led Action Group.[24]
In 1960, he obtained a government scholarship to study at the University of Glasgow,[25] where he later earned a degree in accountancy and qualified as a chartered accountant. He later became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).[26]
Business career
In 1956 Moshood Abiola started his professional life as a bank clerk with
ITT
While Abiola worked at the
RCN went on to develop a static communications network for the armed forces signal unit and Nigeria's domestic satellite communications.[31] In 1975, ITT and partners secured a major contract to supply automatic telephone exchanges in a number of locations within the country.[28]
Other ventures
In addition to his duties throughout the Middle-East and Africa, Abiola invested heavily in Nigeria and West Africa. He set up Abiola Farms, Abiola Bookshops, Radio Communications Nigeria, Wonder Bakeries, Concord Press, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil International Ltd, Africa Ocean Lines, Habib Bank, Decca W.A. Ltd, and Abiola football club. He was also Chairman of the
Involvement in politics
Abiola's involvement in politics started early on in life when he joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) at age 19. In 1979, the military government kept its word and handed over power to the civilian. As Abiola was already involved in politics, he joined the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1980 and was elected the state chairman of his party. Re-election was done in 1983 and everything looked promising since the re-elected president was from Abiola's party and based on the true transition to power in 1979; Abiola was eligible to go for the post of presidential candidate after the tenure of the re-elected president. However, his hope to become the president was shortly dashed away for the first time in 1983 when a military coup d'état swept away the re-elected president of his party and ended civilian rule in the country.
Abiola was a member of
Presidential election
Primaries and campaign
Abiola announced his candidacy for president in February 1993, this was after a previous round of presidential primaries had been cancelled by military President Babangida. His party of choice was SDP, though he was an outsider who was new to the partisan politics within the party which at the time was dominated by two major factions, People's Front(PF) and PSP.[37] Both SDP and its opposition, NRC held presidential primaries in March 1993. SDP's primaries was held in Jos and was largely a three-way contest between Abiola, Kingibe and Atiku even though there were more aspirants. Abiola was heavily supported by the People's Solidarity faction (PSP) within SDP while Atiku was supported by PF faction led by Yar'Adua and Kingibe was supported by a loose coalition of party members.[38] During the first ballot, Abiola was able to score a slim majority vote of 3,617 to Kingibe's 3,225.[39] A second round was contested two days later and Abiola again emerged victorious with a slim margin and he became the party's presidential candidate for the 12 June election.
Abiola's political message was an optimistic future for Nigeria with slogans such as "Farewell to poverty", " At last! Our rays of Hope" and the "Burden of Schooling". His economic policy included negotiations with foreign creditors and better management of the country's international debts, in addition, increased cooperation with the foreign community while presenting himself as someone the international community can trust.[40]
Election
For the June 12, 1993, presidential elections, Abiola's running mate was his primary opponent Baba Gana Kingibe.[41] He defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. The election was declared Nigeria's freeest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent's home state of Kano. Abiola won at the national capital, Abuja, the military polling stations, and over two-thirds of Nigerian states. Men of Northern descent had largely dominated Nigeria's political landscape since independence; Moshood Abiola, a Western[42] Muslim, was able to secure a national mandate freely and fairly, unprecedented in Nigeria's history. However, the election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, causing a political crisis which led to General Sani Abacha seizing power later that year.[43] During preparations for the 2011 Nigerian Presidential elections there were calls from several quarters to remember MKO Abiola.[44]
- Unofficial results
These are the unofficial results:[45][46]
State | SDP (Abiola) | NRC (Tofa) | State | SDP (Abiola) | NRC (Tofa) | State | SDP (Abiola) | NRC (Tofa) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abia | 105,273 | 151,227 | Enugu | 263,101 | 284,050 | Niger | 136,350 | 221,437 | ||
Adamawa | 140,875 | 167,239 | Imo | 159,350 | 195,836 | Ogun | 425,725 | 59,246 | ||
Akwa Ibom | 214,787 | 199,342 | Jigawa | 138,552 | 89,836 | Ondo | 883,024 | 162,994 | ||
Anambra | 212,024 | 159,258 | Kaduna | 389,713 | 356,860 | Osun | 365,266 | 72,068 | ||
Bauchi | 339,339 | 524,836 | Kano | 169,619 | 154,809 | Oyo | 536,011 | 105,788 | ||
Benue | 246,830 | 186,302 | Katsina | 171,162 | 271,077 | Plateau | 417,565 | 259,394 | ||
Borno | 153,496 | 128,684 | Kebbi | 70,219 | 144,808 | Rivers | 370,578 | 640,973 | ||
Cross River | 189,303 | 153,452 | Kogi | 222,760 | 265,732 | Sokoto | 97,726 | 372,250 | ||
Delta | 327,277 | 145,001 | Kwara | 272,270 | 80,209 | Taraba | 101,887 | 64,001 | ||
Edo | 205,407 | 103,572 | Lagos | 883,965 | 149,432 | Yobe | 111,887 | 64,061 | ||
sub-total | 2,134,611 | 1,918,913 | 2,740,611 | 1,992,649 | FCT | 19,968 | 18,313 | |||
3,465,987 | 2,040,525 | |||||||||
Cumulative | 8,341,309 | 5,952,087 |
Imprisonment
In 1994 Moshood Abiola, M.K.O. declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria in the Epetedo area of Lagos island, an area mainly populated by (Yoruba) Lagos Indigenes. He had recently returned from a trip to win the support of the international community for his mandate. After declaring himself president he was declared wanted and was accused of
Moshood Abiola was detained for four years, largely in solitary confinement with a Bible,
Death
Moshood Abiola died unexpectedly, shortly after the death of General Abacha, on the day that he was due to be released.[51] While meeting group of American diplomats including Thomas Pickering and Susan Rice at a government guesthouse in Abuja, Abiola fell ill and died. Rice had served tea to Abiola shortly before his collapse; despite evidence to the contrary there remains an enduring belief in Nigeria that she had poisoned Abiola.[52][53][54]
Independent autopsy carried out and witnessed by physicians and pathologists from the Nigerian government, Nigerian Medical Association, Canada, UK and the US found substantial evidence of longstanding heart disease.[55] General Abacha's Chief Security Officer, Hamza al-Mustapha has alleged that Moshood Abiola was in fact beaten to death and although Al-Mustapha claims to have video and audiotapes showing how Abiola was beaten to death, he has yet to come forward with the release of such tapes or how it was procured in the first place. Regardless of the exact circumstances of his death, it is clear that Chief Abiola received insufficient medical attention for his existing health conditions.[55]
Investigation
A number of different perspectives exist on Abiola's death. Renowned writer and playwright Wole Soyinka in his autobiography You Must Set Forth at Dawn, categorically asserted that Abiola was presented with a poisoned cup of tea during his final interview with the BBC. He was certain about the fact that Abiola was poisoned, although information on what entities were behind the poisoning, have yet to come to light.[56]
Legacy
Chief M.K.O. Abiola's memory is celebrated in Nigeria and internationally.[59] Since his death, the Lagos State Government declares 12 June as a public holiday. In 2018, other states including Ogun, Oyo and Osun, announced 12 June as a public holiday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the annulled 1993 presidential election.[60] 12 June remains a public holiday in Nigeria beginning 12 June 2019, it will be celebrated as democracy day, replacing 29 May.[61] Remembrance events are arranged across Nigeria.[62] MKO Abiola Stadium and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic were named in his honour, and there were calls for posthumous presidential recognition.[63] A statue, MKO Abiola Statue was erected in his honour.
M.K.O. Abiola was criticised by political activists and detractors. Controversy was caused by a song by Nigerian musician,
On 29 May 2012, former president Goodluck Jonathan, announced that the famous University of Lagos will be renamed in memory of Abiola as Moshood Abiola University of Lagos (MAULAG). This received a negative reaction by both students, Alumni and members of public resulting in an abrupt reversal.[67]
12 June declared Democracy Day
On 6 June 2018, Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria declared 12 June as the new date for the celebration of Democracy Day. Nigeria's Democracy Day was formally celebrated every 29 May, the day in 1999 that former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, handed over power to an elected president, Olusegun Obasanjo of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the date when, for the second time in the history of Nigeria, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government.[68]
On 6 June 2018, Muhammadu Buhari in a public statement changed the Democracy Day to 12 June in honor of the 12 June 1993, presidential election and it's winner, Moshood Abiola, who died in prison. Buhari's statement partly read: "for the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29, as Democracy Day. That was the date when, for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government. The first time this happened was on 1 October 1979. But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by his administration, June 12, 1993, was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29 or even the October 1. June 12, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freeest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our independence. The fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military government doesn't distract from the democratic credential of that process. Accordingly, after due consultation, the Federal Government has decided, henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day. Therefore, the government has decided to award posthumously the highest honour of the land GCFR, to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 cancelled election".[69]
On 11 June 2019, Muhammadu Buhari assented to a Bill amending 29 May previously set aside as a public holiday for the celebration. The public holiday amendment Act was passed by the National Assembly of Nigeria following a Bill introduced and sponsored by Kayode Oladele, Human Rights Lawyer and Member of the House of Representatives ( Eighth Assembly) representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency of Ogun State.[70][71]
Awards and honours
Moshood Abiola was twice voted international businessman of the year,[72] and received numerous honorary doctorates from universities all over the world. In 1987 he was bestowed with the golden key to the city of Washington, D.C., and he was bestowed with awards from the NAACP and the King center in the US, as well as the International Committee on Education for Teaching in Paris, among many others.
In Nigeria, the
He was posthumously awarded the third highest national honour, the Commander of the Federal Republic, in 1998.[75]
He was also awarded the highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic – or GCFR – in 2018. The date of the annulled election, 12 June, was also made Nigeria's Democracy Day.[76]
Personal life
Moshood Abiola married many wives;[77][3] notable among them are Simbiat Atinuke Shoaga in 1960,[3] Kudirat Olayinka Adeyemi in 1973, Adebisi Olawunmi Oshin in 1974,[1] Doyinsola (Doyin) Abiola Aboaba in 1981, Modupe Onitiri-Abiola[4][3] and Remi Abiola. He fathered many children.[2][1]
Philanthropy
Moshood Abiola sprang to national and international prominence as a result of his philanthropic activities. The Congressional Black Caucus of the United States of America issued the following tribute to Moshood Abiola:[78]
Because of this man, there is both cause for hope and certainty that the agony and protests of those who suffer injustice shall give way to peace and human dignity. The children of the world shall know the great work of this extraordinary leader and his fervent mission to right wrong, to do justice, and to serve mankind. The enemies which imperil the future of generations to come: poverty, ignorance, disease, hunger, and racism have each seen effects of the valiant work of Chief Abiola. Through him and others like him, never again will freedom rest in the domain of the few. We, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus salute him this day as a hero in the global pursuit to preserve the history and the legacy of the African diaspora.[79]
From 1972 until his death, Moshood Abiola had been conferred with 197 traditional titles by 68 different communities in Nigeria, in response to his having provided financial assistance in the construction of 63 secondary schools, 121 mosques and churches, 41 libraries, 21 water projects in 24 states of Nigeria, and he was grand patron to 149 societies or associations in Nigeria. In addition to his work in Nigeria, Moshood Abiola supported the Southern African Liberation movements from the 1970s, and he sponsored the campaign to win reparations for slavery and colonialism in Africa and the diaspora. He personally communicated with every African head of state, and every head of state in the black diaspora to ensure that Africans would speak with one voice on the issues.[80]
Notes
- ^ "Aare Ona Kankafo" was the title of the supreme military commander of the Oyo Empire
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Sources
- Abiola, M. K. O. (1992). Reparations : a collection of speeches. Lome, Togo: Linguist Service. OCLC 28212732.
- Abiola, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (1993). Yemi Ogunbiyi; Chidi Amuta (eds.). Legend of Our Time: The Thoughts of M.K.O. Abiola. Tanus Communications. ISBN 978-978-31824-1-7.
External links
Media related to Moshood Abiola at Wikimedia Commons