Just 24 years ago, in Epetedo, Lagos, Chief MKO Abiola,
the acclaimed winner of the June 12, presidential
election, made a proclamation seen as many to be his
inaugural speech; however, the scope of things turned
against him when after the speech, he was arrested
and jailed by the then head of state, General Sani
Abacha
Late Chief MKO Abiola made the speech on
Saturday, June 11. This move by Abiola cost him
his freedom and chance to rule as Nigeria's
president, Vanguard reports.
Read the full text below:
"People of Nigeria, exactly one year ago, you turned out in
your millions to vote for me, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But politicians
in uniform, who call themselves soldiers but are more
devious than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of
your God-given right to be ruled by the President you had
yourselves elected.
"These soldier-politicians introduced into our body politic, a
concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography,
something strangely called the “annulment” of an election
perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most
peaceful ever held in our nation.
"Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery
occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of
goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter
back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the
mandate they gave me at the polls. But mindful of the need
to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile
federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and
negotiation.
"My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of
patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your
mandate, and to persuade them that they should not allow
their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country
into an era of political instability and economic ruin.
"All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has
been to try and get them to realise that only real democracy
can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn
her the respect she deserves from the international
community.
"However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me
to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for
weakness on my part, those with whom I have sought to
dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show
loyalty to the collective decision of the people of their own
country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should
exhibit justice and fair-play in all their dealings with their
fellowmen.
"Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the
gallant Nigerian Armed Forces, have fallen on deaf ears.
Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and rule,
bribery and political perfidy, misinformation and (vile)
propaganda.
"They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. Even the
71-year old hero of our nation, Chief Anthony Enahoro, was
not spared. How much longer can we tolerate all this?
People of Nigeria, you are all witnesses that I have tried to
climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and
walk the longest mile, in order to get these men to obey the
will of our people.
"There is no humiliation I have not endured, no snare that
has not been put in my path, no “setup” that has not been
designed for me in my endeavour to use the path of peace
to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on me one year
ago.
"It has been a long night. But the dawn is here. Today,
people of Nigeria, I join you all in saying, “Enough is
Enough!” We have endured 24 years of military rule in our
34 years of independence. Military rule has led to our
nation fighting a civil war with itself. Military rule has
destabilised our nation today as not before in its history.
"Military rule has impoverished our people and introduced
a dreadful trade in dr*gs which has made our country’s
name an anathema in many parts of the world. Even soccer
fans going to watch the Green Eagles display in America
are being made to suffer there needlessly because Nigeria’s
name is linked with credit card and fraud and “419.”
"Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige due
to our country because of its size and population. The
permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that
should be rightfully ours, is all but lost. For who will vote
for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigerian military rulers do not
respect the votes of their own people? Enough of military
rule.
"We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no
personal achievement, either in building up private
businesses, or making success of any tangible thing, being
placed in charge of the management of our nation’s
economy, by rulers who are not accountable to anyone.
Enough of square pegs in round holes.
"We are tired of then military repetitive tendency to
experiment with our economy: Today, they say “no
controls.” Tomorrow; they say “Full controls”. The day
after, they say “Fine tuning”. The next day, they say
“Devaluation.”
"A few days later, they say “Revalue the same naira
upwards again Abi?” All we can see are the consequences of
this permanent game of military “about turns;” high
inflation, a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign
debt repayment burden, dying industries, high
unemployment and a demoralised populace.
"Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon,
and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to
join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want? We are
plagued also by periodic balance of payments crises, which
have led to a perennial shortage of essential pills, that has
turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries.
"A scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our
schools into desolate deserts of ignorance. Our factories are
crying for machinery, spare parts and raw materials. But
each day that passes, instead of these economic diseases
being cured, they are rather strengthened as an irrational
allocation of foreign exchange based on favouritism and
corruption becomes the order of the day. Enough is enough
of economic mismanagement!
"People of Nigeria, during the election campaign last year, I
presented you with a programme entitled “HOPE ’93. This
programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic
(problems) that have demoralised us all.
"I toured every part of Nigeria to present this programme
to you the electorate. I was questioned on it at public rallies
and press conferences and I had the privilege of
incorporating into it much of the feedback that I obtained
from the people.
"Because you knew I would not only listen to you but
deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for
me in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority
over my opponent. To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent
of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states
plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
"Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfil the
constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain
one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states. I am sure
that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria
today, you ask yourselves: “What have we done to deserve
this, when we have a president- elect who can lead a
government that can change things for the better?
"Our patience has come to an end. As of now, from this
moment, a new Government of National Unity is in power
throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President
and Commander-in-Chief. The National Assembly is hereby
reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated.
"The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local
government councils. I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan
approach to all the issues that come before them. At the
national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our guiding
principle. I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to
announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest
of his illegal ruling council.
"We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them to
work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power. I
pledge that if they hand over quietly, they will be retired
with all their entitlements, and their positions will be
accorded all the respect due to them.
"For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-
hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian
people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly
constituted authority of the time.
"I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my
victory in the said election, to call on all members of the
Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services
throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the
Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your
only elected President.
"My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate,
constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as
of now. People of Nigeria, these are challenging times in the
history of our continent, Africa, and we in Nigeria must not
allow ourselves to be left behind.
"Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of
South Africa, which has been successfully concluded, with
the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African
President of that country. Nelson Mandela fought to replace
MINORITY rule with MAJORITY rule.
"We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace MINORITY rule,
for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our armed forces.
Like the South Africans, we want MAJORITY rule today,
that is rule only by those chosen by all the people of Nigeria
as a whole in free and fair elections.
"The only difference between South Africa and Nigeria is
that those who imposed minority rule on the majority rule
whether it is by black or white, remains minority rule, and
must be booted out. I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria,
to emulate the actions of your brothers and sisters in South
Africa and stand up as one person to throw away the yoke
of minority rule for ever.
"The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority
are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with
threats of police action. But do not let us fear arrest. In
South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the
campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails
could not hold all of them.
"Today, apartheid is gone forever. So, let it be with Nigeria.
Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military.
They talk of treason. But haven’t they heard of the Rivonia
treason trial in South Africa? Did those treason trials halt
the march of history? People of Nigeria, our time is now.
"You are the repository of power in the land. No one can
give you power. It is yours. Take it! From this day, show to
the world that anyone who takes the people of Nigeria for
fools is deceiving himself and will have the people to answer
to. God bless you all. Long live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. Long live the Government of National Unity."
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reported that before his
birth, MKO’s father had lost 22 children in their
infant stage and so he was named Kashimawo
meaning ‘let’s wait and see’ with hope that
chances of that young child would survive
infancy was very slim.
the acclaimed winner of the June 12, presidential
election, made a proclamation seen as many to be his
inaugural speech; however, the scope of things turned
against him when after the speech, he was arrested
and jailed by the then head of state, General Sani
Abacha
Late Chief MKO Abiola made the speech on
Saturday, June 11. This move by Abiola cost him
his freedom and chance to rule as Nigeria's
president, Vanguard reports.
Read the full text below:
"People of Nigeria, exactly one year ago, you turned out in
your millions to vote for me, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But politicians
in uniform, who call themselves soldiers but are more
devious than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of
your God-given right to be ruled by the President you had
yourselves elected.
"These soldier-politicians introduced into our body politic, a
concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography,
something strangely called the “annulment” of an election
perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most
peaceful ever held in our nation.
"Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery
occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of
goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter
back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the
mandate they gave me at the polls. But mindful of the need
to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile
federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and
negotiation.
"My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of
patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your
mandate, and to persuade them that they should not allow
their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country
into an era of political instability and economic ruin.
"All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has
been to try and get them to realise that only real democracy
can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn
her the respect she deserves from the international
community.
"However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me
to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for
weakness on my part, those with whom I have sought to
dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show
loyalty to the collective decision of the people of their own
country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should
exhibit justice and fair-play in all their dealings with their
fellowmen.
"Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the
gallant Nigerian Armed Forces, have fallen on deaf ears.
Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and rule,
bribery and political perfidy, misinformation and (vile)
propaganda.
"They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. Even the
71-year old hero of our nation, Chief Anthony Enahoro, was
not spared. How much longer can we tolerate all this?
People of Nigeria, you are all witnesses that I have tried to
climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and
walk the longest mile, in order to get these men to obey the
will of our people.
"There is no humiliation I have not endured, no snare that
has not been put in my path, no “setup” that has not been
designed for me in my endeavour to use the path of peace
to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on me one year
ago.
"It has been a long night. But the dawn is here. Today,
people of Nigeria, I join you all in saying, “Enough is
Enough!” We have endured 24 years of military rule in our
34 years of independence. Military rule has led to our
nation fighting a civil war with itself. Military rule has
destabilised our nation today as not before in its history.
"Military rule has impoverished our people and introduced
a dreadful trade in dr*gs which has made our country’s
name an anathema in many parts of the world. Even soccer
fans going to watch the Green Eagles display in America
are being made to suffer there needlessly because Nigeria’s
name is linked with credit card and fraud and “419.”
"Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige due
to our country because of its size and population. The
permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that
should be rightfully ours, is all but lost. For who will vote
for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigerian military rulers do not
respect the votes of their own people? Enough of military
rule.
"We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no
personal achievement, either in building up private
businesses, or making success of any tangible thing, being
placed in charge of the management of our nation’s
economy, by rulers who are not accountable to anyone.
Enough of square pegs in round holes.
"We are tired of then military repetitive tendency to
experiment with our economy: Today, they say “no
controls.” Tomorrow; they say “Full controls”. The day
after, they say “Fine tuning”. The next day, they say
“Devaluation.”
"A few days later, they say “Revalue the same naira
upwards again Abi?” All we can see are the consequences of
this permanent game of military “about turns;” high
inflation, a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign
debt repayment burden, dying industries, high
unemployment and a demoralised populace.
"Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon,
and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to
join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want? We are
plagued also by periodic balance of payments crises, which
have led to a perennial shortage of essential pills, that has
turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries.
"A scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our
schools into desolate deserts of ignorance. Our factories are
crying for machinery, spare parts and raw materials. But
each day that passes, instead of these economic diseases
being cured, they are rather strengthened as an irrational
allocation of foreign exchange based on favouritism and
corruption becomes the order of the day. Enough is enough
of economic mismanagement!
"People of Nigeria, during the election campaign last year, I
presented you with a programme entitled “HOPE ’93. This
programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic
(problems) that have demoralised us all.
"I toured every part of Nigeria to present this programme
to you the electorate. I was questioned on it at public rallies
and press conferences and I had the privilege of
incorporating into it much of the feedback that I obtained
from the people.
"Because you knew I would not only listen to you but
deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for
me in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority
over my opponent. To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent
of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states
plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
"Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfil the
constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain
one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states. I am sure
that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria
today, you ask yourselves: “What have we done to deserve
this, when we have a president- elect who can lead a
government that can change things for the better?
"Our patience has come to an end. As of now, from this
moment, a new Government of National Unity is in power
throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President
and Commander-in-Chief. The National Assembly is hereby
reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated.
"The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local
government councils. I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan
approach to all the issues that come before them. At the
national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our guiding
principle. I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to
announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest
of his illegal ruling council.
"We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them to
work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power. I
pledge that if they hand over quietly, they will be retired
with all their entitlements, and their positions will be
accorded all the respect due to them.
"For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-
hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian
people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly
constituted authority of the time.
"I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my
victory in the said election, to call on all members of the
Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services
throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the
Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your
only elected President.
"My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate,
constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as
of now. People of Nigeria, these are challenging times in the
history of our continent, Africa, and we in Nigeria must not
allow ourselves to be left behind.
"Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of
South Africa, which has been successfully concluded, with
the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African
President of that country. Nelson Mandela fought to replace
MINORITY rule with MAJORITY rule.
"We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace MINORITY rule,
for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our armed forces.
Like the South Africans, we want MAJORITY rule today,
that is rule only by those chosen by all the people of Nigeria
as a whole in free and fair elections.
"The only difference between South Africa and Nigeria is
that those who imposed minority rule on the majority rule
whether it is by black or white, remains minority rule, and
must be booted out. I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria,
to emulate the actions of your brothers and sisters in South
Africa and stand up as one person to throw away the yoke
of minority rule for ever.
"The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority
are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with
threats of police action. But do not let us fear arrest. In
South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the
campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails
could not hold all of them.
"Today, apartheid is gone forever. So, let it be with Nigeria.
Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military.
They talk of treason. But haven’t they heard of the Rivonia
treason trial in South Africa? Did those treason trials halt
the march of history? People of Nigeria, our time is now.
"You are the repository of power in the land. No one can
give you power. It is yours. Take it! From this day, show to
the world that anyone who takes the people of Nigeria for
fools is deceiving himself and will have the people to answer
to. God bless you all. Long live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. Long live the Government of National Unity."
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reported that before his
birth, MKO’s father had lost 22 children in their
infant stage and so he was named Kashimawo
meaning ‘let’s wait and see’ with hope that
chances of that young child would survive
infancy was very slim.
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