Late MKO Abiola

A Human Rights Activist, Dr (Mrs) Joe- Okei Odumakin, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to complete the posthumous honour coffered on late Chief M.K.O Abiola by declaring him as one of the former presidents of Nigeria.

Odumakin spoke with journalists at the sideline of the rally held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital in commemoration of June 12 and honour of the forerunner of democracy, late Chief M.k.O Abiola .

The rally which started from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto area of Abeokuta, witnessed a huge turn out as the Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Secretary to the State Government, Bar Adeoluwa Taiwo; Head of Service, Mr Abayomi Sobande, other government functionaries and unionists took a long work to the Abiolas’ family house at Gbagura where prayer session was held for him.

Odumakin while addressing the audience who converged to pray in memory of the late heroes, vehemently expressed gratitude to President Buhari and appealed that should formerly declare him (Abiola) as a former President of Nigeria.

Her words: “June 12 was bloodshed, many lives were lost. Amid the struggle for democracy, Abiola lost his life but we are happy today that President Buhari has immortalised the great hero.

“We still want a posthumous declaration of Abiola as a past President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. June 12 is forever and this is the only befitting memorial we can give M.K.O”, she submitted.

One of Abiola’s brothers, Alhaji Muritala Abiola who applauded the President for his kind gesture at the gathering lamented that Abiola did not live to witness his day.

Muritala who is also the Head of the Abiola’s family challenged Buhari to go by the policy of the late icon (Abiola) which was to improve the quality and living standard of Nigerians, stressing that it would restore peace and normalcy in the country.

He stressed, “I am excited about what the President just did but the gesture should not end there, we want to be hearing Abiola’s name at the national level by giving his children federal posts. I wish my brother lived to see this day.”

Ealier in her speech, the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga who represented the Governor, Ibikunle Amosun stressed that since the inception of the Amosun’s administration, the State has also celebrated the June 12 in memory of Abiola, adding that it had been mandated that on every June 12 there should be rally in the state for the great politician.

Another family member of Abiola, Olugbenga Balogun who just arrived from Ivory Coast while speaking also stressed that he returned to the country when he received the news that his brother had been posthumously honored with award of GCFR.

“I left Nigeria for Cot’devoir in 1994 during the crisis. It was painful then that Abiola was deprived of his right and later lost his live all because he yearned for the people’s freedom”, he said.

Balogun added: “What brought me back to the country today is because the President has recognised the struggle of my brother and has honoured him.”