12th June, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Alhaji Muri Abiola,senior brother of the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola has appealed to the federal government to compensate the family having been treated badly after the death of the family breadwinner in July 1998.
Alhaji Abiola called on Governor Ibikunle Amosun to assist them in using his good offices to plead with President Muhammed Buhari to support the family as the exit of the breadwinner has created a lot of hardship into the family.
The appeal was made today while speaking with newsmen at the Oja-Agbo residence of Abiola in Gbagura area of Abeokuta,the Ogun state capital.
Residents of Abeokuta and top government functionaries led by the deputy governor of the state,Princess Yetunde Onanuga were today at the residence to observe a prayer session in commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the June 12 election, won by Chief MKO Abiola.
According to Muri Abiola: “the federal government has neglected us and this is not good. When MKO died,many of us were arrested for no just cause. They said they are doing some findings,we were locked up in Panti and many other cells in the country.
“After a while,we were asked to go home and nothing was given to us as compensation. We made several efforts to get our plight get across to them but nothing forthcoming till date.
“As I am speaking with you now,many of our children are out of job and we have nothing to keep bodies and souls together. This should have not happened to the family of MKO Abiola,who died because of this country. All what he stood for during his lifetime was enthronement of democracy and today,that is what many of those who were against it then are benefitting from.
“They have not accorded him the due honour he deserved. We have been neglected by the past government and we strongly believe that our governor will pass our message to President Muhammmed Buhari,” Alhaji Muri Abiola pleaded.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun promised to deliver their grievances to the President,pledging that what Late MKO Abiola stood for during his lifetime will be upheld.
Amosun,who was represented by his deputy,Princess Yetunde Onanuga stated that the state government has made every June 12 a public holiday.
Speaking earlier at the MKO Abiola International Stadium,Kuto,Abeokuta,Governor Ibikunle Amosun advised politicians to be faithful and God fearing.
Amosun disclosed that Nigerians,irrespective of their creed,colours,religion and political affiliation,came out on March 28,2015 to cast their vote for President Muhammed Buhari as they did for Late Bashorun MKO Abiola on June 12,1993.
“It is like selfless service,when you meant well,when you’re genuine, when you are real, Nigerians will follow you, which is what has happened in the case of our newly elected President Muhammadu Buhari. The same way the people agreed on Abiola, that is the same way, irrespective of where they come from, all of us, agreed on Muhammadu Buhari.
“June 12 is a very significant day,not only in Ogun State really, it is throughout Nigeria and I think it extends even beyond the shores of Nigeria. This was the day when Nigeria set aside all their differences and everybody came out to agree on one man, and that man was Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and he happened to be from Abeokuta in Ogun state.
The governor, however called on the federal government to recognise Abiola as the official winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election.