Moshood Kashimawo Abiola: A Life Fulfilled
Dele Momodu
Say what you will, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola has finally achieved apotheosis. Not many humans are so lucky, or that endowed in life or in death. It is common to hear ordinary mortals say, in moments of deep frustration, Abiola should not have joined politics. In theory,
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such proponents believe he would be alive today. That is normal, because no one likes to lose a loved one, no matter how old. But there is never a cast-iron guarantee about life and death. No one ever
chose when to be born and when to die. Abiola’s life was a stuff of fairy-tale, and eerily mythical. He was the 23rd child of his dad when he was born on August 24, 1937, to the family of Salaudeen Abiola, in the Gbagura compound
of Abeokuta, Ogun State. All 22 children born before him had died in infancy under varying and mysterious circumstances. His parents doubted if Moshood would stay or go the way of the other 22 children, the reason he was promptly and grudgingly
named Kashimawo. But as fate would have it, Moshood not only stayed, other children born after him also enjoyed the same grace, making him a harbinger of good tidings. As was the norm in those days, his parents were not economically buoyant, but
Buhari Signs 2018 Budget Today... Page 10
they nevertheless struggled to send him to school. Abiola showed much promise early in life. He was gifted with a magnetic brain, and photographic memory, and also had an unusual ability for entertainment. Indeed, his musical performances enabled him get money that helped Continued on page 8
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June 12: We Are Sorry, Buhari Tells Families of Abiola, Other Heroes Says recognition not meant to reopen but heal wounds
Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja apologised to the family of the winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Bashorun MKO Abiola, over the injustice done to him by the annulment of the election and his eventual untimely death. Buhari also apologised to the families of others who lost their lives in the struggle for
the actualisation of June 12, 1993 presidential election. "Accordingly, on behalf of the Federal Government, I tender the nation’s apology to the family of Late MKO Abiola, who got the highest votes and to those that lost their loved ones in the course of June 12 struggle," the president said in a speech that drew loud applause from the Continued on page 8
Another Former Governor, Dariye, Bags 14 Years Imprisonment for Corruption Alex Enumah in Abuja and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The war against graft scored another victory yesterday when former governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, got a 14-year prison term for fraud. His conviction came less than one month after the imprisonment of former governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba State.
He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment also by the same Federal Capital City (FCT) High Court, Abuja that put Dariye behind bars. In her judgment yesterday, Justice Adebukola Banjoko found Dariye guilty on 15 of the 23-count charge and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment. The court found the former Continued on page 8
Ekiti Elections Will be Difficult to Rig, Says INEC... Page 12
HONOUR FOR THE HERO... New statue of the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief Moshood Abiola, unveiled in Lagos yesterday by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. It is now the tallest and biggest statue in Lagos (See more pictures on pg. 48)