Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun says the state government will continue to uphold the vision and desires of late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
Abiodun said this on Wednesday, during a special memorial prayer held at the Abiolas’ family house, in Oja Agbo, Gbagura, Abeokuta, in honour of the late politician and business mogul.
Abiola was the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, annulled by the then military government.
The election, despite its annulment, has been described as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
Abiola, unhappy with the annulment, later declared himself president, which led to his arrest and subsequent detention by the then military government.
He died in detention on July 7, 1998.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2018, decided to change the celebration of Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in recognition of the 1993 election, adjudged freest and fairest in the nation’s history.
He also conferred on Abiola, posthumously, the highest national award.
Abiodun, represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at Wednesday’s prayer session, said that the late MKO wanted the best for everybody, when he was alive, regardless of ethnicity or religion .
“We are here to honour late MKO and pray for his soul and also celebrate 25 years of unbroken democracy in the country,” he said.
Abiodun explained that democracy had continued to thrive in Nigeria, as it had accorded the people the best leadership.
“We will continue to uphold what MKO believed in; democracy has continue to thrive.
“Democracy is what will give our people the best leadership,” he said.
The governor appreciated President Bola Tinubu for what he had done to better the lots of Nigerians, urging citizens to pray for the progress of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Abiola family, one of his sons, Ameen Abiola, appreciated the state and the federal government for always celebrating his father, after his death.
He appreciated Ogun government for preserving the heritage of Abiola’s family.
In his sermon at the memorial prayer, Alhaji Daud Toriola, Mufasir Egba Agura, described the late MKO Abiola as one of the greatest philanthropists the nation had ever produced.
Toriola prayed for the late business mogul, the state and Nigeria.
