Twelve years after his death, Chief Moshood Abiola’s sacrifice for democracy has been given official recognition by President Goodluck Jonathan. Ademola Adeyemo in this report chronicles the intrigues and politics that denied the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election the recognition.
Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola meant different things to different people. To some people, Abiola is a symbol of democracy, while to others regard him as a philanthropist, kind and a shrewd business man.
No doubt the journey to the present democratic experience in Nigeria was tortuous, but some peoples’ blood were shed before the civil rule could be enthroned in 1999. One of those whose lives were sacrificed was Abiola who lived between 1937 to 1998 after four years of harsh imprisonment in the hands of the military regime of late General Sani Abacha.
Since then, Abiola has become a symbol of Nigeria's struggle for democracy. however, his contributions and sacrifice for democracy was not recognized by the past civilian administrations of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo throughout his eight-year rule and late president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s short tenure.
