By Seun Ibiyemi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, attended the national premiere of MKO, a documentary chronicling the life, political struggle and enduring legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Nigeria’s historic June 12 pro-democracy struggle.
The premiere, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The documentary was produced by US-based filmmaker Ose Oyamendan and focuses on the events surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the subsequent struggle by Nigerians and pro-democracy activists to restore democratic governance.
The screening brought together senior government officials, political leaders and other dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang; and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also present were the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev; members of the National Assembly; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and other dignitaries.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to Nigerians who lost their lives or suffered persecution, detention, exile and other forms of repression during the struggle for the restoration of democracy.
Onanuga led the gathering in observing a minute’s silence in memory of those who died during the pro-democracy struggle.
He said the sacrifices of the activists must remain part of Nigeria’s collective memory, noting that the freedoms enjoyed by Nigerians today were secured through the courage of individuals who resisted authoritarian rule.
Among those remembered were Chief Anthony Enahoro, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Frank Kokori, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chima Ubani, Chief Bola Ige, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Onanuga also honoured members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Campaign for Democracy, the labour movement and other pro-democracy organisations that participated in the struggle.
He paid tribute to journalists and media organisations that continued to report the struggle despite arrests, clampdowns, kidnappings and seizures of publications.
He also acknowledged lawyers who defended detainees, students who participated in protests, workers who embarked on industrial action, academics who supported the movement and Nigerians in the diaspora who mobilised international support.
According to Onanuga, many Nigerians were imprisoned without trial, forced into exile or lost their livelihoods and properties because of their opposition to military rule.
Onanuga said the documentary represented more than a tribute to Abiola, describing it as a reminder of the collective sacrifices made by Nigerians in defence of their democratic choice.
He also recalled the contribution of ordinary Nigerians who took to the streets and endured hardship in defence of the June 12 mandate.
He said many people paid the ultimate price while others sustained injuries and other forms of hardship during the struggle.
Onanuga noted that Nigeria had experienced uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999 and that Abiola had subsequently been officially recognised as the winner of the June 12, 1993 election.
He commended the producers of MKO for documenting an important chapter of Nigeria’s political history and making it accessible to a younger generation.
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The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the documentary chronicles the events leading to the June 12, 1993 presidential election, its annulment by the military authorities, Abiola’s arrest in 1994 after declaring his mandate and his death in detention in 1998.
Musawa described the documentary as a tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the June 12 mandate and the democratic system Nigeria enjoys today.
She said documenting the events was important to ensure that younger Nigerians understood the sacrifices behind the country’s democratic journey.
The minister also called for concerted efforts by citizens to protect democracy and ensure that the will of the people is not again truncated.
The documentary’s producer, Ose Oyamendan, commended President Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to democratic principles and for the support he had provided to the project over the years.
Oyamendan recalled interviewing Tinubu when he was a senator in 1992 and expressed appreciation to individuals and organisations that contributed to the production of the documentary.
The film is expected to preserve an important chapter of Nigeria’s political history while providing younger Nigerians with an opportunity to examine the events, personalities and sacrifices that shaped the country’s democratic development.
The national premiere formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and brought renewed attention to the historical significance of the June 12, 1993 election and the struggle that followed its annulment.
