SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, (THEWILL) – The family of the late MKO Abiola, presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, has called on the federal government to declare him the winner and pay presidential entitlements.
This was the request made by the head of the family, Alhaji Muritala Abiola, younger brother of the late business mogul, on Sunday at the 23rd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The event, which was organised by the Ogun state government, started with a democracy walk from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta to the Oke Ido ancestral home of the Abiolas.
“First, we want the federal government to declare June 12 as democracy day. They should do even more than that,” he said.
“The first thing the family wants is that, for example, Ken Saro Wiwa died fighting for this Ogoni oil spillage, the Federal Government is doing the cleaning up of the oil spillage in Ogoni land.
“MKO was killed because of election he won maybe it is you journalists or the Nigerian government calling him acclaimed winner. He is not acclaimed winner, they should confirm him as slain President of Nigeria.
“After all somebody ruled for maybe less than six months, they said Interim National Government. He is still enjoying Presidential privileges, so MKO should be declared President although slain, so all the entitlements belong to the family.”
Murtala also appealed to the state government to return the school established by the late Abiola – Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Osiele, Abeokuta – to the family to administer.
In his speech, Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun state, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Yetunde Onanuga, said everyone knew that late MKO Abiola was the adjudged winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Story by David Oputah
