Background: After the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election which is universally acclaimed to have been won by late Chief M.L.O Abiola, there were pressures by Civil Society and the International Community on the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida led Military Junta to rescind its decision and declare Chief Abiola as the winner of the election.

Taking Matters Into His Hands: Upon seeing that the Nigerian Government which was led by General Sani Abacha were not going to yield, Chief Abiola, flanked by his wife, Late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola as well as supporters converged at Epetedo, Lagos where he made the now famous ‘Epedeto Declaration’. Date was June 11, 1994

o our body politic, a concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography, something strangely called the ‘annulment’ of an election perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most peaceful ever held in our nation.

“Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the mandate they gave me at the polls.

“But mindful of the need to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and negotiation.

“My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your mandate and to persuade them that they should not allow their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country into an era of political instability and economic ruin.

“All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has been to try and get them to realise that only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community.

“However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for weakness on my part, 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 fellow men.

“Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces, have fallen on deaf ears.

“Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and rule, bribery and political perfidy, misinformation and (vile) propaganda.

“They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. Even the 71-year old hero of our nation, Chief Anthony Enahoro, was not spared.

“How much longer can we tolerate all this? People of Nigeria, you are all witnesses that I have tried to climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and walk the longest mile, in order to get these men to obey the will of our people.

“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.

“It has been a long night. But the dawn is here.

“Today, people of Nigeria, I join you all in saying, “Enough is Enough!”

“We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years of independence.

“Military rule has led to our nation fighting a civil war with itself. Military rule has destabilised our nation today as not before in its history.

“Military rule has impoverished our people and introduced a dreadful trade in drugs which has made our country’s name an anathema in many parts of the world.

“Even soccer fans going to watch the Green Eagles display in America are being made to suffer there needlessly because Nigeria’s name is linked with credit card and fraud and ‘419.’

“Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige due to our country because of its size and population.

“The permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that should be rightfully ours, is all but lost.

“For who will vote for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigerian military rulers do not respect the votes of their own people?

“Enough of military rule.

“We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no personal achievement, either in building up private businesses or making success of any tangible thing, being placed in charge of the management of our nation’s economy, by rulers who are not accountable to anyone.

“Enough of square pegs in round holes.

“We are tired of the military’s repetitive tendency to experiment with our economy: Today, they say “no controls.” Tomorrow; they say “Full controls”. The day after, they say “Fine tuning”. The next day, they say “Devaluation.” A few days later, they say “Revalue the same naira upwards again Abi?”

“All we can see are the consequences of this permanent game of military “about turns;” high inflation, a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign debt repayment burden, dying industries, high unemployment and a demoralised populace.

“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.

“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.

“Enough is enough of economic mismanagement! People of Nigeria, during the election campaign last year, I presented you with a programme entitled “HOPE ’93.”

This programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic (problems) that have demoralised us all.

“I toured every part of Nigeria to present this programme to you the electorate. I was questioned on it at public rallies and press conferences and I had the privilege of incorporating into it much of the feedback that I obtained from the people.

“Because you knew I would not only listen to you but deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for me in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority over my opponent.

“To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfil the constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states.

“I am sure that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria today, you ask yourselves: ‘What have we done to deserve this when we have a president-elect who can lead a government that can change things for the better? Our patience has come to an end.’

“As of now, from this moment, a new Government of National Unity is in power throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President and Commander-in-Chief.

“The National Assembly is hereby reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated. The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local government councils.

“I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan approach to all the issues that come before them.

“At the national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our guiding principle. I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest of his illegal ruling council.

“We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them to work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power.

“I pledge that if they hand over quietly, they will be retired with all their entitlements, and their positions will be accorded all the respect due to them.

“For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly constituted authority of the time.

“I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the said election, to call on all members of the Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your only elected President.

“My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate, constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as of now.

“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.

“Nelson Mandela fought to replace MINORITY rule with MAJORITY rule.

“We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace MINORITY rule, for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our armed forces.

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

“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.

“I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria, to emulate the actions of your brothers and sisters in South Africa and stand up as one person to throw away the yoke of minority rule forever.

“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.

“In South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails could not hold all of them. Today, apartheid is gone forever.

“So, let it be with Nigeria.

“Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military.

“They talk of treason. But haven’t 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.

“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.

“God bless you all. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Long live the Government of National Unity.”

http://www.septemberpost.com/2018/06/11/june12special-heres-the-speech-that-cost-abiola-his-freedom-and-life/

After the above speech, Buhari’s friend, General Sani Abacha arrested Abiola and charged him with treason.

nice speech

I have not seen any politician with depth of knowledge and deep pockets that MKO command.

However, I say this prayer to you: may our ambition never lead us to a early grave in Jesus' name.

And the people that killed Abiola are giving him posthumous award today. What a country.
The things some people will do for politics will shock even the devil himself.

ChaleeBendel:
After the above speech, Buhari’s friend, General Sani Abacha arrested Abiola and charged him with treason.

Abiola is a criminal

Auladimeji:
Abiola is a criminal

For demanding his mandate?

ChaleeBendel:
After the above speech, Buhari’s friend, General Sani Abacha arrested Abiola and charged him with treason.

Most Nigerians do not know that there is an unwritten constitution that a Muslim from South West will never be Nigerian President. Nigerians better have it at the back of their minds that Babangida's decision to annulle Abiola's mandate was not an isolated action. It was a northern conspiracy to scuttle the rule by a South West Muslim. Babangida had no choice but to succumb to northern oligarchy, otherwise, Babangida himself would have been assassinated.

NOTE: FOR THOSE OF YOU QUOTING ME, HAVE IT AT THE BACK OF YOUR MIND THAT NORTHERN BORN TO RULE OLIGARCHY PREFER A SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN AS PRESIDENT THAN A SOUTHERN MUSLIM!

NO SOUTHERN MUSLIM WILL EVER BECOME NIGERIAN PRESIDENT!! TAKE THIS TO THE BANK.
THAT IS ONE NIGERIA FOR YOU.

I have read it !

ChaleeBendel:
For demanding his mandate?

He's still a devil

saaron:
Most Nigerians do not know that there is an unwritten constitution that a Muslim from South West will never be Nigerian President. Nigerians better have it at the back of their minds that Babangida's decision to annulle Abiola's mandate was not an isolated action. It was a northern conspiracy to scuttle the rule by South West Muslim.

Painful episode in Nigeria’s history. To see Buhari trying hard to hoodwink the gullible is even more annoying.

Some people say June 12 is a Yoruba affair and not a national affair that should be regarded outside the SouthWest. Yet they are already crying marginalization because they were not awarded any national honour over the same June 12.

Below excerpts of the speech is what made Abiola a National Hero. But Nigeria failed him because at the sound of gun shots, the rest of Nigeria made it a Yoruba affair that it was no longer their business, despite not having democratic structures existing in their own regions too.

Abiola sacrificed himself.

To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfil the constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states.

“I am sure that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria today, you ask yourselves: ‘What have we done to deserve this when we have a president-elect who can lead a government that can change things for the better? Our patience has come to an end.’

“As of now, from this moment, a new Government of National Unity is in power throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President and Commander-in-Chief.

“The National Assembly is hereby reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated. The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local government councils.

“I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan approach to all the issues that come before them.

“At the national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our guiding principle. I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest of his illegal ruling council.

“We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them to work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power.

“I pledge that if they hand over quietly, they will be retired with all their entitlements, and their positions will be accorded all the respect due to them.

“For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly constituted authority of the time.

“I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the said election, to call on all members of the Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your only elected President.

“My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate, constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as of now.

ChaleeBendel:


Painful episode in Nigeria’s history. To see Buhari trying hard to hoodwink the gullible is even more annoying.

Buhari is a typical example of "A MAN TRYING TO REAP WHERE HE DID NOT SOW".
Men and women of honor who believe in democracy do not serve in govt that jails a democratically elected president and usurp Democratically elected govt.

June 12 is a national struggle and not limited to Yoruba nation struggles. Jonathan did not declare June 12 a national day Obasanjo that benefited directly from the event did nothing. He even made so many efforts to ridicule the day itself.


They played politics with it.
Jonthan only tried to dangle icing cake. He did not even understand the struggle. he tried to name SCHOOL AFTER MOSHOOD which is irrelevant. the struggle is not only for Abiola but the entire nation. June 12 is a national struggle. a day one man robbed us all of our collective decision.

Now Buhari turned the whole thing around. He did one singular thing nobody has the mind to do in almost 25years. Politics or anything. even JONATHAN did play politics with it, but it did not work out.


But would this signify that Yoruba would vote for Buhari during 2019 election? well,as for me,i wont vote him,he still hasnt impressed me


But i dont know why Igbo are trying so much to condemn this day? its not as if they actually voted for Abiola or support june 12.majority of Igbo voted for TOFA. so why should their opinion matters?



whyy are they even getting from Nigeria? its not like they are either here or there.
Yoruba has ruled this country 8years,South South ahs ruled 6years, and for the sake of unity n fairness,we are saying the Igbo should make good calculation and vote for Buhari and wait till 2023 to compete. Not that its the idea thing,but we sey its the smartest thing to do. Maybe then they can decide to leave the union. its not a rocket science bro. this is politics. its not do or die.

Why would some people deliberately remove history from our schools? This is th3 first time i am seeing this speech...

ft

He dined and wined with them. Sponsored different coup de etat.... Why are people trying to paint MKO as saint?

dlondonbadboy:
Why would some people deliberately remove history from our schools? This is th3 first time i am seeing this speech...

If History were brought back you will thank your stars MKO, never achieved his dream of the president.

Auladimeji:
Abiola is a criminal

The media want to whitewash MKO

Was Ogogo part his Security team then?

the dude wearing dark goggles looks familiar.

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.

Ok

k

Imagine d otteranx of a man dt d Dullard make GCFR.
Afonja traitor
Tnx God he died.

Mumu fool.
Bastard Abiola
Ritualist man,u wnt 2 b President.

Abiola fada yansh der.

Igbos spitting poo all over the thread already . Una no dy tire?

K

same yoruba who sold him out



are now cheering the same people who killed him


just because of a useless award to buy votes

This is the kind of leadership that could have saved us. Those who do not know MKO need to know some very important things about him.
1. He is the Premier of Western Nigeria, just like Azikiwe was the Premier of Eastern Nigeria.
2. He came up with the first free education scheme in Nigeria and most of the leaders if today championing high cost of basic and tertiary education were beneficiaries of his Free Education scheme.
3. If You Own a Car and Live in Abuja, Then Bring your Vehicle in For Repairs, Repainting,Accident ed Body works, Servicing and other Vehicle Repair Works O818-974-2614.

4. do you know that during his efforts to be the president of the country Azikiwe was part of his campaign team?