June 12: ‘Immortalise Abiola, Wife’

Thirteen years after the death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Poll, his family on Saturday called on the Federal Government to immortalise him. Abiola died while in custody in Abuja on July 7, 1998.

He was arrested for declaring himself president following the annulment of the election which he was adjudged to have won.

Speaking at a forum organised by the Action Group of Nigeria (AGN) at Abiola’s residence in Ikeja, his son, Jamiu Abiola, said it was high time the late politician and his late wife, Kudirat, were immortalised.

“Nigeria should name monuments after MKO and his late wife, Kudirat.

“My parents sacrificed their lives for the democracy Nigerians are enjoying today and it is so painful that they are yet to be given their rightful place in the annals of the nation’s history.

“If the government refuses to properly honour them, we leave it to God. In civilized countries, it would never have happened,’’ he said.

Abiola said the family was not asking for contracts or appointments as compensation, but that the nation should recognise the sacrifices his parents had made.

“For Nigeria to move forward, one of the ways is to honour all those who laid down their lives for democracy.

“People like Alfred Rewane, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti and others should also be immortalised as heroes of our democracy,” he stressed.

“How will Nigeria move forward when the beneficiaries of my father’s sacrifices refuse to acknowledge that he bought them democracy with his life?,’’ he asked.

Abiola thanked Nigerians who stood by the family by keeping the ideals of June 12 alive.

In his speech, Prof. Pat Utomi, the Protem National Chairman, Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) and Chairman of the forum, said June 12 should be observed as a national memorial day.

“The day should be set aside in memory of the nation’s heroes.

“Nations are built on myths. A country without heroes will lack the soul and spirit to overcome challenges that come with nation building.

“This is why we are thankful for the privilege of having had men like Abiola walk the path they did and gave their all that generations yet unborn may be inspired to give.

“It is for Nigeria to attain the dreams of its founding fathers,’’ he said.

Mr Mike Igini, a newly-appointed INEC National Commissioner, stressed the need for a fresh voters’ register if Nigeria must get it right in 2011.

He noted that the June 12, 1993, elections were successful because voting took place simultaneously and were free and fair.

He urged states Houses of Assembly to adopt the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee, describing them as panacea to free polls.

In his remarks, Mr Tony Uran, the National Secretary, United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), called for adequate mobilisation and sensitisation toward the 2011 polls.

Mr Mohammed Fawehinmi, son of the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, said:“Abiola gave us a platform to actualize participatory democracy.

“We must do our best to make 2011 a year of electoral rebirth.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Kelvin Etta, and the National Secretary of SDMP, Dr Sadiq Abubakar.