15 Takeaways From Premiere Of Documentary On MKO Abiola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other dignitaries on Wednesday attended the national premiere of MKO, a documentary chronicling the life of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The premiere, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, brought together political leaders, pro-democracy figures and members of the creative community.

…Tinubu attends premiere with First Lady
President Tinubu attended the premiere alongside his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, underscoring the significance attached to the documentary and Nigeria’s democratic history.

…Documentary focuses on MKO Abiola
Produced by US-based filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, MKO chronicles the life, political struggle and enduring legacy of the late Chief MKO Abiola.

… June 12 election takes centre stage
The documentary recounts the events surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, regarded as a watershed in Nigeria’s democratic history.

…Pro-democracy struggle revisited
The film also documents the campaign by Nigerians and pro-democracy activists to restore democratic governance following the annulment.

…Government leaders attend
Among those present were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Also present were Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

…Onanuga honours democracy activists
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to Nigerians who died, suffered persecution, detention or exile during the struggle for the restoration of democracy.

…Minute’s silence observed
Onanuga led guests at the premiere in a minute’s silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the democratic struggle.

…Media remembered
Onanuga specifically honoured journalist James Bagauda Kaltho, other journalists and media organisations that continued to report the June 12 struggle despite arrests, clampdowns, kidnappings and seizures of publications.

He also recognised printers who defied the security clampdown to produce banned publications.

… Lawyers, students and workers acknowledged
According to Onanuga, lawyers who defended detainees, students who staged protests, workers who withdrew their labour and academics who supported the struggle all played significant roles.

He also acknowledged Nigerians in the diaspora who mobilised international support for the democratic cause.

…Abiola officially recognised
Onanuga said Abiola, long associated with the June 12 struggle, had been officially acknowledged as the winner of the 1993 presidential election.

He described Abiola as the symbol of the struggle, noting that this had moved beyond the earlier description of him as the “assumed, presumed” winner.

… 27 years of uninterrupted democracy
Onanuga said the sacrifices made during the pro-democracy struggle were not in vain, noting that Nigeria had experienced 27 years of unbroken democracy since 1999.

… A warning against overturning electoral choice
Onanuga said the country owed the heroes of the democratic struggle a duty to ensure that no authority again overturns the freely expressed will of Nigerians.

…Musawa recalls Abiola’s final years
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the documentary covers the events leading to the June 12 election, its annulment, Abiola’s arrest in 1994 after declaring his mandate and his death in detention in 1998.

… Film described as tribute to June 12 heroes
Musawa described MKO as a tribute to the men and women who gave their lives for the June 12 mandate and the democracy Nigeria enjoys today.

She said documenting the events was important so that younger generations would understand that the country’s democracy came at a significant cost.

… Filmmaker recalls Tinubu relationship
Oyamendan thanked President Tinubu and others who supported the documentary’s production.

Reflecting on his relationship with the President, the filmmaker recalled interviewing Tinubu when he was a senator in 1992.

The documentary is expected to preserve an important chapter in Nigeria’s political history and give younger Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the events, personalities and sacrifices that shaped the country’s democratic journey.