I read with pain the response of MKO Abiola’s family to the renaming of University of Lagos after their principal. Quickly jumping in queue to praise the government of the day and choosing to abuse undergraduates and alumni of the university for protesting against the name change. I have since concluded the “family” obviously doesn’t realize MKO is a national icon and not just their family head. I’ll take you guys 19 years back to 1993. I’d just barely gained admission into Saint Patrick College, Asaba. When my dad took my elder sisters for voter’s registration. The atmosphere was alive and smiling faces lit every corner of my neighborhood. I must say this singular experience instilled an excitement for democratic elections in me; I looked forward to when I’d be legally permitted to partake in this exercise that elevated, in my opinion, the man fondly called Money Kudi Owo (MKO), from socialite to statesman. And this reignited the spirit of ‘progressives’ in my family – my granddad was a staunch supporter of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo led Action Group in the 50s.
As I put this piece together, these unheard of ‘family members’ who seek recognition today – don’t know – how MKO was killed and who killed him? Till date, no one has been charged with murder; manslaughter or at least death ‘due to negligence’ of a president-elect; the ‘Patriarch’ of their family who died in government custody. All successive governments in this new found democratic climate have carefully avoided the issue of MKO Abiola. Not even one deemed it necessary to formally apologize and take responsibility on behalf of the Nigerian state for the death of MKO and honor him consequently. Though the historic date of June 12 1993 is celebrated in Southwest Nigeria in honor of this martyr, it is on record that an elected president who escaped death by the skin of his teeth, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, didn’t deem it right to put that date on the national calendar as “Democracy day” to honor late Chief MKO Abiola on a federal level, instead he chose to mark the date of his own swearing-in, ‘May 29’, as Democracy day – this adding insult to injury, after publicly declaring MKO isn’t the messiah Nigeria needs – a statement he made shortly after IBB annulled the June 12 Presidential election in 1993. Quite a painful one you’d think for the “family” of a man whose death is clearly tied to the democracy we enjoy today as a constitutional republic.
On assumption of the highest seat in Nigeria in 2011, the former governor of Bayelsa state, Goodluck Jonathan, whose achievements are few both as deputy governor and governor of one of the richest states in Nigeria in terms of the 13% derivation, rather than focus on achievable goals that can be measured periodically, chose a 7 point agenda. After "telling" Nigerians to let go of subsidy on fuel, Mr. President, commissioned 1,100 buses to ease the effect of this hasty move on a country of an excess of 160 million people. I must confess reconciling the number of seats in each bus and the populace who don’t own cars makes me wonder if this is a serious scheme. Also noteworthy is none of the buses have been seen outside Abuja at the time of my writing.
With the current economic climate around the world, especially in the Euro zone – countries have towed the line of Austerity. I for one believe it is the step Nigeria needs to take (again), but this time the cuts must be done transparently. We all have to shoulder the personal responsibility of moving our nation forward within its means. But a government that increases fuel and electric tariffs, and bullishly refuses to shoulder some of the pain by reducing “government size” and “bonuses” isn’t a fair one. Nigeria doesn’t require two ministers per ministry and some related ministries will have to merge if government really means business. It’s quite funny the Senate President earns an excess of N1.6 billion naira, when the common man lives below a dollar (N162) per day. Evidently, the present government has lost touch with its populace and of course reality, it has completely lost its capacity to listen and this has gradually seen our current democracy seem almost like military rule.
On May 28, I sat with friends and told them as always I was expecting a shocker in the President’s democracy day speech, one that will sway the masses away from challenges of security (Boko Haram), basic amenities inclusive of standardized healthcare, good road network, water, and where we are going as a people. And yes, a shocker we got - renaming the University of Lagos after MKO, without recourse to the school’s governing body or the national assembly. That’s another example of the President’s forceful way – shunning “due diligence”.
Does MKO Abiola deserve to be honored? Yes! Has it been done the right way? NO! Especially when there’s a Polytechnic in same southwest of Nigeria that already bears his name. To honor him properly, the government of the day needs to help provide logistics to bring to book those responsible for his death. Apologize to his family and Nigerians at large, and then honor him in a befitting way. In my opinion, May 29 which we observe as democracy day should be renamed “MKO Abiola day”. By so doing, the government will be seen as honest and not trying to score cheap points while distracting the masses from the obvious dilapidating State-of-the-Nation. I feel so sad and would have expected the Abiola family to politely decline this august honor – especially a family of well read people.
By @Mudi_Gags on Twitter Click to watch author in this video
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