The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has honoured the winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola, popularly known as MKO Abiola, 25 years after his controversial death.
Of the over 14 million total votes cast in the election, Abiola was said to have won almost 60 per cent of the votes, making him the winner of the election.
According to numerous international and local observers, the June 12 election was the most peaceful and credible in the history of the nation, in contrast to past elections that were marred by fraud, violence, and intimidation.
The election was eventually annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, which sparked protests across Nigeria.
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Africa Today News, New York recalls that Abiola had died on the 7th of June, 1998, five years after the elections, at age 60.
Describing his death as sad, the President took to his Twitter page, @OfficialBAT, on Friday to praise Abiola, describing him as the ‘true champion of democracy’.
He wrote, ‘Today, our nation honours the sacrifice and example of a true hero, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, 25 years after his sad demise.
‘A true champion of democracy, his courage and integrity, complete dedication to public service, exemplified the highest ideals of our great nation. His legacy endures and his message of hope echoes still. May Allah SWT grant him mercy and increase his rewards.’
Meanwhile, Tinubu will today (Saturday) depart Abuja for Guinea-Bissau to attend the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States in Bissau, the country’s capital.
The President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, revealed this in a statement on Friday titled, ‘President Tinubu to attend ECOWAS summit in Guinea-Bissau’.