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12 Power Quotes By MKO Abiola

  Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was the candidate of the Social Democratic Party and presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, which has … Continue reading 12 Power Quotes By MKO Abiola


A file photo of Late MKO Abiola

 

Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was the candidate of the Social Democratic Party and presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, which has been described as the freest and fairest in Nigeria.

The philanthropist, businessman, and politician who was born on August 24, 1937, was, however, denied his mandate as General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election and General Sani Abacha later jailed him for fighting for the mandate.

Although he died in prison on July 7, 1998, the symbolism of that struggle has never been lost to pro-democracy activist and, two decades after his death, the clamour for the recognition of that struggle remained strong.

As the country marks Democracy Day today for the first time on June 12 in recognition of that struggle and its role in returning democratic rule to the country, here are 10 quotes from the man on who the struggle was built.

1.

There is no humiliation I have not endured, no snare that has not been put in my path, no setup that has not been designed for me in my endeavour to use the path of peace to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on me one year ago.

2.

Only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community.

3.

No one can give you power. It is yours. Take it! From this day, show to the world that anyone who takes the people of Nigeria for fools is deceiving himself and will have the people to answer to.

4.

Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon, and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want? We are plagued also by periodic balance of payments crises, which have led to a perennial shortage of essential drugs, that has turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries.

5.

A scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our schools into desolate deserts of ignorance. Our factories are crying for machinery, spare parts and raw materials. But each day that passes, instead of these economic diseases being cured, they are rather strengthened as an irrational allocation of foreign exchange based on favouritism and corruption becomes the order of the day.

6.

Those with whom I have sought to dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show loyalty to the collective decision of the people of their own country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should exhibit justice and fair play in all their dealings with their fellowmen.

7.

I am the custodian of a sacred mandate, freely given, which I cannot surrender unless the people so demand, and it is by virtue of this mandate that I say that the decision of the Federal Military Government to cancel the election of June 12, 1993 is invidious, unpatriotic and capable of causing undue and unnecessary confusion in the country.

8.

People of Nigeria, these are challenging times in the history of our continent, Africa, and we in Nigeria must not allow ourselves to be left behind. Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of South Africa, which has been successfully concluded, with the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African President of that country.

9.

Like the South Africans, we want MAJORITY rule today, that is rule only by those chosen by all the people of Nigeria as a whole in free and fair elections.

10.

The only difference between South Africa and Nigeria is that those who imposed minority rule on the majority rule whether it is by black or white remains minority rule, and must be booted out

11.

The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with threats of police action. But do not let us fear arrest

12.

Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military. They talk of treason. But havent they heard of the Rivonia treason trial in South Africa? Did those treason trials halt the march of history? People of Nigeria, our time is now. You are the repository of power in the land.