Three years into his tenure, the president of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, made an unprecedented move by proposing to recognise June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day as opposed to the May 29 date that had been celebrated since 1999. While reactions to the idea were mixed, there was wide support for the date change with the Senate passing the Public Holiday Amendment Act on May 16, 2019, recognising June 12 as the new Democracy Day.
Commemorating the power shift from military to democratic rule in 1999, May 29 seemed like a no brainer for Democracy Day. However, prior to this significant moment, another watershed moment had occurred on June 12, 1993, when over 10 million voters gathered at polling stations to elect Chief Moshood Abiola as president in the first presidential elections in the country since the 1983 military coup.
Despite its tragic ending, Abiola’s story remains an inspiring one of conviction, and boldness in the face of political oppression.
Nigeria, Who is Moshood Abiola (MKO)?
Born on August 24, 1937, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was a revolutionary politician, business tycoon, and philanthropist. Gaining his first degree from the University of Glasgow in 1960 followed by a distinction from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, Abiola returned to Nigeria to work as a senior accountant at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital before swinging over to join the American multinational pharmaceutical corporation, Pfizer.
Abiola eventually got employed with ITT Corporation, starting out as controller of operations, and later, rising up the ranks to the position of Vice President, Africa, and the Middle East. His remarkable business acumen led to the creation of thousands of jobs through 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.
Presidential Bid, 1993 Elections and Death
In 1993, Abiola ran for president under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) alongside Gana Kingibe, with the duo emerging victorious at the polls. However, the then military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, decided to annul the results of the election. He justified the annulment on the grounds that it was necessary to save the nation. He alleged that political activities preceding the election were inimical to peace and stability in Nigeria.
With widespread political unrest trailing the annulment of the elections, in 1994, Abiola declared himself Nigeria’s lawful president after returning from a trip to win the support of the international community for his mandate. After declaring himself president he was accused of treason and arrested on the orders of then military President General Sani Abacha, who sent 200 police vehicles to bring him into custody.
During his time in jail, Abiola’s wife, Kudirat Abiola, a mobilizer and politician in her own rights, was also assassinated based on her support for his mandate. While Abacha’s infamous death showed signs of hope for Abiola, he, unfortunately, died under suspicious circumstances on the day that he was due to be released, July 7, 1998.
In June 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred the highest national honour — Grand Commander of the Federal Republic — on the Late M.K.O Abiola. GCFR is usually reserved for past presidents and Heads of State of Nigeria.
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
