How Abiola refused to sell June 12 mandate — Oshiomhole

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— Abiola chose principle over freedom
— We’re ready for state police, says Aiyedatiwa

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By Dayo Johnson, Akure

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Former Edo State governor and senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has revealed that late military ruler Sani Abacha was prepared to offer late M.K.O. Abiola anything in exchange for relinquishing his claim to the June 12, 1993 presidential mandate.

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Oshiomhole made the disclosure during a June 12 Democracy Day lecture titled “June 12 and Beyond”.

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Reflecting on the Progress of Democracy and Security Concerns” held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

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According to him, he was part of a delegation from the Nigeria Labour Congress that met Abacha in Abuja following the annulment of the June 12 election.

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“General Abacha told us he was ready to tolerate anything and do anything for MKO Abiola. The one thing he was not ready to tolerate was the idea that Abiola had proclaimed himself President of Nigeria,” Oshiomhole said.

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He added that despite pressure from government officials and intermediaries, Abiola refused to renounce the mandate given to him by Nigerians.

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“He told those who sent us that he was elected President of Nigeria and would not sell the mandate entrusted to him by the Nigerian people,” he said.

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Oshiomhole described Abiola’s position as an act of courage, patriotism and selflessness, noting that he refused to compromise the sacrifices made by millions of Nigerians who voted for him.

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The senator urged young Nigerians to draw lessons from June 12, describing Abiola as a symbol of national unity whose victory transcended ethnic and religious divides.

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Speaking on the push for state policing, Oshiomhole said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was determined to accelerate constitutional amendments to establish state police.

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“The President is very determined that we should accelerate action to get the state police amendment through. He has told us point blank to get it done, but he cannot decree it. The National Assembly must pass it and it must be approved by at least two-thirds of the state assemblies before it becomes part of the Constitution,” he said.

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According to him, the amendment would enable states to appoint their own police commissioners and strengthen security at the grassroots level.

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Earlier, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the June 12, 1993 presidential election as one of the defining moments in Nigeria’s democratic history.

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He said the theme of the lecture was timely given current political developments in the country.

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“We must always remind ourselves that democracy is not a destination but a continuous journey. True democracy is measured not only by elections but by good governance,” Aiyedatiwa said.

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The governor stressed that democracy could only flourish in an atmosphere of peace and security, warning that insecurity weakens democratic institutions, discourages civic participation and erodes public confidence in government.

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He commended the Tinubu administration’s efforts to tackle insecurity under the Renewed Hope Agenda and reiterated support for decentralised policing and community-based security initiatives.

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On the proposed state police system, Aiyedatiwa declared that Ondo State was fully prepared.

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“For us in Ondo State, we have been ready for a long time. The structures established under my predecessor, late Rotimi Akeredolu, have been strengthened. We have the personnel and the framework. What remains is approval for more sophisticated equipment and weapons to enhance effectiveness,” he said.

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Chairman of the occasion, Olu Falae, recalled the sacrifices made during the June 12 struggle, describing the election as a watershed in Nigeria’s political development.

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Falae noted that Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for Abiola in what was widely regarded as a credible election before its annulment sparked widespread resistance and the formation of the National Democratic Coalition.

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He warned against any return to military rule, saying the pro-democracy struggle involved detention, exile and loss of lives, but ultimately paved the way for Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation.

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