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Exclusive: Abiola’s GCFR Honours: Kola Abiola’s Acceptance Speech

Published

8 years ago

June 12, 2018

Eric

Below is the detailed acceptance speech of Mr. Kola Abiola on reception of the GCFR award for the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Bashorun MKO Abiola:

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH: RE: NATIONAL HONOUR FOR LATE BASHORUN MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO OLAWALE ABIOLA AND DESIGNATION OF JUNE 12 AS DEMOCRACY DAY

RECONCILING THE PAST

Your Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (GCON), Members of the Federal
Executive Council present, State Governors present, Legislators present, Awardees, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure and honour to stand before you today on this epoch-making occasion to accept this award. I do not stand here alone. I do not stand for myself. I stand for the MKO Abiola family in all its entirety. I also stand for the millions of Nigerians who had almost given up hope that a day like this would ever come. Most importantly, I stand for the Pillar of Sports in Africa, Bobagunwa of Egbaland, the Basorun of Ibadan, the 14th Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, the Magayakin Katsina, the Magayakin Zauzzau of Suleja, the Osemoya of Auchi among over a hundred other titles. I stand here with a huge sense of
history and responsibility, for Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO), Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR).

My late father used to say: “you can’t shave a man’s head in his absence”. Mr. President, I dare say, with this courageous posthumous honour award being bestowed today, you have just succeeded in shaving MKO’s head behind him.

MKO was a man of many parts. He knew and touched every part of this great land of ours. From the North to the South, from the East to the West, he was at home everywhere across Nigeria. He believed that every Nigerian deserved to benefit from the immense endowments of this great land. In his private capacity, he didn’t just invest in businesses across Nigeria, he invested in people and causes. He was a great believer in Nigeria, a
detribalised Nigeria and a Pan Africanist.

With his uncommon passion and commitment to progress, not many were surprised that he vied for the highest office in the land.

On June 12 1993, Nigerians from all nooks and crannies, from all works of life including the military trooped out to affirm their belief in the future MKO Abiola envisioned for Nigeria. It was beyond ethnicity; beyond religion; beyond all the things “ they” use to keep us divided. To quote Mr. President, “it was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since our Independence.” The pain and anguish that followed in the wake of the cruel annulment of this watershed event in the life of our nation is well known to those of us who witnessed it and had to endure its ugly consequences.

The return of democratic rule on May 29, 1999 offered us a chance to face the reality of our recent history. Rather than reconciling ourselves to the truth and righting the wrong, the new democratic government failed the first test by designating the day it came to power as Democracy Day. This singular act indicated a warped reading of history at the Federal level which all South Western states tried to address by commemorating
June 12 nonetheless.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was inaugurated subsequently became a parade in futility by failing to acknowledge the truth about the pivotal role of June 12 1993 in
the rebirth of our democracy. It is for this reason that I never took the exercise serious enough to attend it.

Mr. President, today you have not only given June 12 its rightful place in the history of our nation, this brave act of yours is telling the people of Nigeria that voted on June 12 and the millions of Nigerians that have had to bear the brunt of the consequences of the annulment that all hope is not lost. It has taken over two decades, but finally the votes have not gone to waste.

I would therefore like to thank the Executive branch of the Federal Government of Nigeria led by Your Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Vice President, Professor
Yemi Osinbajo (GCON) for genuinely commencing the process required to bring Truth and Reconciliation to our nation and thereby ensure for us all the hope of a peaceful future.

On a day like this, we cannot forget the sacrifices of those Nigerians who paid the ultimate price for our democracy. We remember Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief (Mrs.) Bisoye Tejuosho, Dr
Shola Omatsola and Bagauda Kaltho among many others. For our family, we didn’t just lose our patriarch, we also lost our own Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. May God in His infinite mercy bless their souls.

Leadership always demands objectivity even at one’s own expense. At certain points in our lives, we all have to make a choice. A choice between what suits our fancy and what works in
the interest of the common good. Mr. President, you could have ignored the call of many Nigerians that led to this day. After all, you were not involved in the events that led to the political impasse of June 12 1993. Rather, you chose the path of statesmanship for the sake of posterity. For this, once again, we salute you.

Life is all about the choices we make. My father could have chosen to continue living his private life as a businessman and philanthropist. Rather, he chose to serve his fatherland as his way of paying back a nation that had given him a lot of opportunities. While many expected him to buckle in and go back to his former life at the height of the June 12 backlash, he chose to fight on until the very end.

On a personal note, over the years, a lot of people have asked and wondered why I am not visibly involved in politics or any form of agitation. There is really just one reason.

At the tender age of 29, I was privileged to lead the Hope ‘93 campaign organisation. Together with SDP, we organised and conducted probably the best campaign to elective office in the history of this country to date cumulating in Nigeria’s undisputed free, fair and most peaceful election to date. I am glad that most of the key players of that era are still around as living witnesses to the humble contributions of our young and dynamic team that worked tirelessly to deliver the ticket. Unfortunately, the results were annulled, leaving me in limbo.

As a person, I find it difficult to leave anything unfinished. I made a vow to myself that until this whole matter is resolved, I will not get involved politically in any form or shape. I took on a quiet mission of bringing closure to this sordid chapter in our lives.

Mr. President, for me today is Mission Accomplished. As my father would say, no one can clap with only one hand. Our nation today faces the threat of ethnic and religious divisiveness.

From different corners of our nation, there is a growing tribe of people who will stop at nothing to remind us of what makes us different. As a person, I have chosen to think and act otherwise.

Our demographics may tell us that we are a nation of 250 ethnic groups and over 400 languages, but our survival in the 21st century and beyond, demands that we see ourselves as one tribe – Tribe Nigeria. This is the cause I have chosen for myself. I am committed to working with like-minded Nigerians to make this day count in the annals of our nation.

Once again, Mr. President, on behalf of our family, I thank you forthis great honour you have done my father. I thank you for taking this decisive measure to strengthen the foundation of our democracy and guarantee our future by reconciling our past.

Generations to come will honour you for this brave act.

May the soul of all our dearly departed for ever Rest In Peace.
God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.

Headline

Court Validates PDP 2025 Convention in Ibadan, Affirms Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Eric

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has affirmed the validity of the 2025 Elective Convention of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), which produced Dr. Kabiru Turaki as the substantive National Chairman of the party.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola upheld the convention in its entirety, ruling that it was conducted in full compliance with the relevant constitutional and statutory provisions governing party elections in Nigeria.

The decision marked a significant legal victory for the party’s leadership and brought clarity to the dispute surrounding the convention’s legitimacy.

The ruling followed an amended originating summons filed by Misibau Adetunmbi (SAN) on behalf of the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, in Suit No. I/1336/2025.

In a comprehensive judgment, the court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, effectively endorsing the processes and outcomes of the Ibadan convention.

Justice Akintola held that the convention, organised by the recognised leadership of the party, satisfied all laid-down legal requirements as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), and the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

The court found no breach of due process or statutory non-compliance in the conduct of the exercise.

In the same proceedings, the court dismissed the Motion on Notice seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the ruling, filed by Sunday Ibrahim (SAN) on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two others. The applications were described as lacking merit.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court had also rejected a bid by Ibrahim to have his clients joined in the suit.

Justice Akintola ruled at the time that the joinder application was unsubstantiated and consequently dismissed it.

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Opposition Parties Reject 2026 Electoral Act, Demand Fresh Amendment

Published

23 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

Opposition political parties have rejected the 2026 Electoral Act recently passed by the National Assembly, which President Bola Tinubu swiftly signed into law.

The parties called on the National Assembly to immediately begin a fresh amendment process to remove what they described as “all obnoxious provisions” in the law.

Their position was made known at a press briefing themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday.

In a communiqué read by the Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Ahmed Ajuji, the opposition leaders stated:

“We demand that the National Assembly immediately commence a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, to remove all obnoxious provisions and ensure that the Act reflects only the will and aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process in our country. Nothing short of this will be acceptable to Nigerians.”

Some of the opposition leaders present in at the event include former Senate President David Mark; former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, all from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ahmed Ajuji, and other prominent members of the NNPP, notably Buba Galadima, were also in attendance.

The coalition said the amended law, signed by Bola Tinubu, contains “anti-democratic” clauses, which they argue may weaken electoral transparency and public confidence in the voting system.

At the centre of the opposition’s concerns is the amendment to Section 60(3), which allows presiding officers to rely on manual transmission of election results where there is communication failure.

According to the coalition, the provision weakens the mandatory electronic transmission of results and could create loopholes for manipulation.

They argued that Nigeria’s electoral technology infrastructure is sufficient to support nationwide electronic transmission, citing previous assurances by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The parties also rejected the amendment to Section 84, which restricts political parties to direct primaries and consensus methods for candidate selection.

They described the change as an unconstitutional intrusion into the internal affairs of parties, insisting that indirect primaries remain a legitimate democratic option.

The opposition cited alleged irregularities in the recent Federal Capital Territory local government elections as evidence of what they described as a broader pattern of electoral compromise.

They characterised the polls as a “complete fraud” and said the outcome has deepened their lack of confidence in the ability of the electoral system to deliver credible elections in 2027.

The coalition also condemned reported attacks on leaders of the African Democratic Congress in Edo State, describing the incidents as a serious threat to democratic participation and political tolerance.

They warned that increasing violence against opposition figures could destabilise the political environment if not urgently addressed.

In their joint statement, the opposition parties pledged to pursue “every constitutional means” to challenge the Electoral Act 2026 and safeguard voters’ rights.

“We will not be intimidated,” the leaders said, urging civil society organisations and citizens to support efforts aimed at protecting Nigeria’s democratic system.

On February 18, 2026, President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2026 into law following its passage by the National Assembly. The Act introduced several reforms, including statutory recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and revised election timelines.

However, opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have also called for further amendments, particularly over the manual transmission fallback clause, which critics say leaves room for manipulation.

The president said the law will strengthen democracy and prevent voter disenfranchisement.

Tinubu defended manual collation of results, questioned Nigeria’s readiness for full real-time electronic transmission, and warned against technical glitches and hacking.

The Electoral Act sparked intense debate in the National Assembly over how election results should be transmitted ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Civil society groups under the “Occupy NASS” campaign demanded real-time transmission to curb manipulation.

In the Senate, lawmakers clashed during consideration of Clause 60, which allows manual transmission of results if electronic transmission fails.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) demanded a formal vote to remove the proviso permitting manual transmission, arguing against weakening real-time electronic reporting.

The move led to a heated exchange on the floor, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio initially suggesting the demand had been withdrawn.

After procedural disputes and a brief confrontation among senators, a division was conducted. Fifteen opposition senators voted against retaining the manual transmission proviso, while 55 supported it, allowing the clause to stand.

Earlier proceedings had briefly stalled during clause-by-clause review, prompting consultations and a closed-door session.

In the House of Representatives, a similar disagreement came up over a motion to rescind an earlier decision that mandated compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results to IReV.

Although the “nays” were louder during a voice vote, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled in favour of rescinding the decision, triggering protests and an executive session.

Headline

AFP: How Tinubu’s Govt Paid Boko Haram ‘Huge’ Ransom, Released Two Terrorists for Kidnapped Saint Mary’s Pupils

Published

3 days ago

February 24, 2026

Eric

The Nigerian government paid Boko Haram militants a “huge” ransom of millions of dollars to free up to 230 children and staff the jihadists abducted from a Catholic school in November, an AFP investigation revealed Monday.

Two Boko Haram commanders were also freed as part of the deal, which goes against the country’s own law banning payments to kidnappers. The money was delivered by helicopter to Boko Haram’s Gwoza stronghold in northeastern Borno state on the border with Cameroon, intelligence sources told AFP.

The decision to pay the militants is likely to irritate US President Donald Trump, who ordered air strikes on jihadists in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day and has been sent military trainers to help support Nigerian forces.

Nigerian government officials deny any ransom was paid to the armed gang that snatched close to 300 schoolchildren and staff from St. Mary’s boarding school in Papiri in central Niger state on November 21. At least 50 later managed to escape their captors.

Boko Haram has not been previously linked to the kidnapping, but sources told AFP one of its most feared commanders was behind the mass abduction: the notorious jihadist known as Sadiku.

He infamously held up a train from the capital in 2022 and netted hefty ransoms for the release of government officials and other well-off passengers.

Boko Haram, which has waged a bloody insurgency since 2009, is strongest in northeast Nigeria.

But a cell in central Niger state operates under Sadiku’s leadership. The St. Mary’s pupils and staff were freed after two weeks of negotiations led by Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, with the government insisting no ransom was paid. Nigeria’s State Security Service flatly denied paying any money, saying “government agents don’t pay ransoms”.

However, four intelligence sources familiar with the talks told AFP the government paid a “huge” ransom to get the pupils back. One source put it at 40 million naira per head – around $7 million in total.

Another put the figure lower at two billion naira overall. The money was delivered by chopper to Ali Ngulde, a Boko Haram commander in the northeast, three sources told AFP.

Due to the lack of communications cover in the remote area, Ngulde had to cross into Cameroon to confirm delivery of the ransom before the first group of 100 children were released.

Nigeria has long been plagued by mass abductions, with criminals and jihadist groups sometimes working together to extort millions from hostages’ families, and authorities seemingly powerless to stop them.

Source: Africanews