On June 12, 2025, Nigerians marked Democracy Day. Shortly before he left office, as one of the ways to immortalise the late MKO Abiola for his selfless contributions to the return of democracy in Nigeria, former President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 every year as Democracy Day. Every June 12 is not just a commemoration of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election but also a celebration of the tortuous journey that rebirthed civil rule in 1999. Of course, the June 12, 1993 presidential election, won by the late MKO Abiola but annulled by the Military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida watered the return to democratic rule in 1999. MKO Abiola therefore, played a significant role in sending the military back to the barracks and the subsequent emergence of the democratic governance we now enjoy.
The 2025 Democracy Day celebration got me nostalgic. It opened for me, a floodgate of fond and enchanting memories of the man, MKO. During his lifetime, Abiola was many things to many people- young and old, irrespective of their political leanings and ethno-religious affiliations.His generousity knew
no bound. Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, better known with initials of his names, MKO, was indeed a pan- Nigerian. He was completely detribalised.A flamboyant and wealthy businessman, MKO was arguably the wealthiest Nigerian of his era. Infact, many Nigerians, in awe of his stupendous wealth and unparalleled generosity and kindness, coined the first letters of his names, MKO to read: M-money , K-Kudi (Hausa wordfor money) and O- Owo ( Yoruba wor for money.
When he made a foray into politics and joined the 1993 presidential race, many Nigerians were enthusiastic. “Hope 1993” and “MKO is our man ohhh!”, which were part of his campaign catchphrase became a refrain on the lips of Nigerians, including children.June 12, 1993, the day of the election was a day to repay MKO for his love for Nigeria and Nigerians; the downtrodden; his kindness and generosity and his pan-Nigerian tendencies. And millions of Nigerians did repay him in a grand style as they unreservedly cast their votes for him. And he won convincingly. Sadly, however, his landslide victory was annulled. Deprived of the opportunity to serve his country as a democratically elected leader, MKO was to die in detention five years later.
Tongue and tribe have no place in Abiola’s heart. A witty, humorous and an encyclopaedia of African proverbs, Abiola saw Nigeria as his constituency. I was one of the beneficiaries of MKO’s detribalised nature as he singlehandedly sponsored the burial of my late father who was also an accountant like himself.
Even as his staff, MKO was not just a boss but a deeply compassionate one! He was also my friend, my publisher. He was a boss like no other.
My immense appreciation goes to former President Buhari and his successor, President Tinubu for immortalizing MKO.In my own little way, I have long immortalized him through a book which was inspired by Atiku Abubakar, etitled “Palm Wine of Modern Politics:The Proverbs Of MKO Abiola”.
MKO was a strong grassroot politician.Even as a reporter in the employ of his publication, Concord Newspaper, I was privileged to move around with. I once even accompanied him to Tripoli, the Libyan capital, to see the late Libyan strong man, Muammar Gaddafi.
In the National Concord, qualifications and experience mattered for appointment.Ethnicity, religion or tribal sentiments played no role at all.This explained why a man from what is today Akwa Ibom state was the Editor the paper, an Igbo the
Editor of African weekend Concord,Yoruba Editor of Weekend Concord and the late Dele Giwa from then Bendel state which is today Edo state, the Editor of Sunday Concord while the Concord Chief Security Officer was also from the present day Edo state. At a time a Northerner was also an Editor in Concord. Concord Press Nigeria Ltd was a mini Nigeria. Unfortunately, today, unlike what MKO stood for, ethno-religious considerations have taken the centre stage of our national politics, especially in terms of political appointments. A particular ethnic group is today brazenly cornering almost all political appointments at the federal level to the detriment of others. Favouritism, nepotism and cronyism are today shamelessly embedded in our body politics. As President, MKO would have placed premium on national considerations rather than ethnic considerations as obtained in the current dispensations in terms of appointments and spread of developmental projects. As a philanthropist, MKO was a blessing even to those he didn’t know. He was ready to bless and even provide for his enemies. He had once placed a call to the newsroom requesting me to come over to his palatial residence in Ikeja ,Lagos the next day being a Friday. On getting to his house, there was a huge crowd there.I walked to the security gate and told the security guards that I was invited to see the chairman. It was 7am and the security men told me he was still asleep, then suddenly his voice rang out from the building: “Is that Ben? Let him in!”. While I was with him he asked the security men to give him the list of the crowd and their reason for coming . Among them was a Fulani woman in her late 30 who was suffering from breast cancer which had eaten up her breast and was emitting pulse and blood that soaked her dress. MKO asked that she should be allowed. On sighting her, his countenance changed. One could see sympathy written all over him. Listening to the woman’s woes, MKO almost broke down in tears.That was MKO for you!.He didnt want to see anyone suffer. He was a man with overflowing milk of human kindness.He carried other people’s problems and willingly offered his shoulders for them to lean on. He was the man God wanted to use to completely change the story of Nigeria but anti- democratic forces didnt want that to happen hence he was denied of his mandate, incarcerated and eventually died in detention.
I vividly recall his campaign slogan: “Nigerian on the march again , on the march again, looking for Mr President , MKO, is our Man ohhhh” and I dare declare here that even in death, MKO remains “our man, “my man”!
For the records, the story of June 12 will not be completed without mentioning the roles of such patriots as Chief Olu Akerele who was the Concord Editor in Abuja and was whisked away and detained. Many years after, Akerele is still suffering from the trauma of the detention. Dr Doyin Abiola who was the Managing Director of The Concord Newspaper was also detained over June 12. After her release, she traveled abroad for medical attention.
There was also Mr Nsika Essien who relocated to his home town in Akwa Ibom state to treat trauma after being detained twice for allowing publication on June 12 .I was also equally detained for defying the orders of security agents not to sell my book on MKO. I was detained at Bisan police station Airport Road Ikeja Lagos for weeks and was later transferred to the police headquarters obalende Ikoyi, Lagos. Nsikak was again arrested with Dele Alake who was then the Editor of Sunday Concord. He was arrested alongside eight other national newspaper Editors. They were taken to Abuja for interrogation by the DSS.