It's hard to believe it's been 24 years since the election that was widely adjudged to be the best ever conducted in the history of Nigeria was cancelled. We join the South West States of Nigeria in this holiday to celebrating M.K.O Abiola's legacy........
Chief M.K.O Abiola was a prominent social activist, a democratic freedom fighter and a successful business man. He was a publisher, a politician and aristocrat of the Yoruba Egbaland!
He ran for the presidency of the Federal republic of Nigeria in 1993 and was widely regarded as the presumed winner of the June 12th elections but his victory was denied when the election was dubiously annulled by the then corrupt and unfair military government of Ibrahim Babangida.
Chief M.K.O Abiola on Election day......
He courageously fought for his mandate, and after waiting for over a year with his mandate still out of sight, he did something no one had ever done with a military ruler.....He declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria and delivered a powerful speech in Epetedo, Lagos on June 11th, 1994, in which he stated that he had formed a government of National Unity, with him as the chief executive.
His action led to his arrest and subsequent death in prison on July 7th, 1998. The South West States of Nigeria have declared today a work-free. Many civil organizations also have lined out events to mark the holiday....
Today we celebrate the 2 times winner of the International Business Man of the year award. A global icon who during his time 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.
We celebrate the iconic ceremonial war viceroy of the Yoruba-land.....Are Ona Kakanfo!
Rest on sir! Like a true 'Are' you died fighting and your legacy lives on!!!
BTW, i think June 12 should be a Nigerian National Holiday and not just a South West State's holiday. What do you all think? Let us know.......Let's go there y'all!!!!
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