Family members of late politicians and the adjudged winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, have said that there were no benefits yet enough for the family to show for the huge sacrifice made by their breadwinner for the enthronement of the nation’s democracy.
The Abiolas’ family Secretary,
Engineer Rahman Abiola, who spoke with newsmen Saturday in Abeokuta, the state
capital declared that 28 years after the June 12 poll, the Nigerian Government
was yet to make monetary compensation to the family to cushion the effects of
losing such irreplaceable family pillar.
Rahman commended President
Muhammadu Buhari administration for the recognition accorded MKO Abiola as the
winner of June 12, 1993, Presidential election and declaration of the day as
the Democracy Day but noted that the family also deserved government’s
compensation that would directly impact on Abiola family members positively.
The Family Secretary made this
position known while speaking with newsmen Saturday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State
capital when the entourage of the state government’s team, led by the Deputy
Governor, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele paid the usual annual visitation to
the Abiola’s family house at Oke Agbo axis of Abeokuta metropolis in honour of
the late Abiola.
“We are happy indeed that the
Buhari-led Federal Government deemed it fit to honour our breadwinner, late
Chief M.K.O Abiola, particularly with the highest title of the land; Grand
Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and declaring June 12 as the official
democracy day I’m Nigeria. But so far, not so good!.
“The family has not benefited
anything from the Federal Government. But Ogun state government, right from the
administration of the former governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba to that of Otunba
Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun and the incumbent state governor, Prince Dapo
Abiodun has found it good to honour late Chief M.K.O Abiola, even before the
Federal Government took it up to honour him every June 12th.
“We have not seen any of the
promises of the Federal Government on June 12. At the state levels, they’re
trying and I give kudos to them. The governors have been coming to solidarize
with the family towards ensuring that June 12 is celebrated,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the state
governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who was represented by the deputy governor,
Noimot Salako-Oyedele, advised the citizens, particularly politicians to always
emulate the virtues and philosophy which late Abiola stood for.
Abiodun said he learnt the
virtues of selflessness and all-inclusiveness from late M.K.O Abiola, hence the
making of ” Igbega Ipinle Ogun; Ajose Wa Ni O” as he Christened the moto of his
administration.
He
said: “We give thanks to Mr. President for formerly declaring this day as
Democracy Day. As you are aware, late Chief M.K.O Abiola (GCFR) is an
unpoliticised and detribalized Nigerian. Nevertheless, this is his state and he
is our son here in Ogun State and a son that we are very proud of. Even before
Mr. President declared this day, in Ogun State and in the entire South West, we
have been commemorating this day every year as the day that Nigerians voted for
him wholeheartedly across the country to be the president of this country.
“Unfortunately
the mandate was denied. But now, we can look back and try to emulate the
virtues and the principles that our late father, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola stood
for.
“We
hold in high esteem, late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola. He believes in the same
virtues and that is why he is propagating the government of inclusiveness and a
government of “building our future together.
“I
am a promise-keeping man with a promise-keeping administration and gradually,
over the first two years in office, we have been delivering on the promise to
the people of Ogun State. Though some have been completed, some are ongoing and
others are in the pipeline, we seek your support and prayers as we continue on
the at the second half of his first term in office and promise the people of
Ogun State that this government will always look after the best interest of the
people of Ogun State and we look forward to your support as we enter this
second phase.”
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