MKO Abiola is ‘hero of democracy’

He was a businessman, a national and international figure, a philanthropist and a politician ─ but nobody would have classified MKO Abiola as an activist until the June 12, 1993 presidential election was annulled by the military government.

He was a friend of power with an almost unrestricted access to the corridors of the palace. He enjoyed favours and privileges more than any other civilian in a military era.

But the annulment of the election he won convincingly brought out another part of him ─ a stubborn, resolute campaigner. In fact, a rebel.

He looked at his military friends in the face and told them they would not get away with their misdeed. He became a rallying point for the campaign to get the military out of power and for democracy to be birthed in Nigeria.

In 1994, under a different military government, he declared himself president and was subsequently arrested and detained until his death in July 7, 1998.

He refused all entreaty to give up the struggle, return home, get compensated for his electoral expenses and go on with his erstwhile cozy life.

Abiola was the most unlikely hero of a democratic struggle in Nigeria. He was like a prince who led a rebellion against the palace. He did not live to enjoy the benefits of his struggle ─ that is the stuff martyrs are made of.

After his death, Nigeria was fast-tracked into a democratic era in 1999 – exactly 15 years ago. Some will argue that the June 12 experience has also helped Nigeria’s democracy to stabilise ─ the military has perhaps lost the political credibility to be classified as “corrective”.

The consensus among Nigerians, from all indications, is that democracy is the way forward. No more jackboots in power.

In an internet poll conducted by TheCable to mark 15 years of democracy, Abiola was voted the Hero of Democracy by 29.96% of the respondents.

The final scores are tabulated below.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Internet polls are essentially a guide as they are subject to multiple voting.