Tinubu participates in the national premiere of the documentary MKO – THISAGE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, attended the national premiere of MKO, a documentary film by US director Ose Oyamendan.

The screening at the Wole Center in Soyinka for Culture and Creative Arts was part of activities commemorating Nigeria’s 66th anniversary of independence.

The film chronicles the life, political struggle and lasting legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and the historic June 12 pro-democracy struggle.

It chronicles the events surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as a watershed in Nigeria’s democratic history, and the campaign by Nigerians and pro-democracy activists to restore democratic government.

The meeting brought together senior government officials and other dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang; and Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Also present were the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Eng. Joseph Utsev; members of the National Assembly; former Ogun Head of State Governor Olusegun Osoba; and other illustrious personalities.

Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, welcomed the President and other guests to the premiere.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to Nigerians who have lost their lives or suffered persecution, detention, exile and other forms of repression during the struggle to restore democracy.

After leading the gathering by observing a minute’s silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the democratic struggle, Onanuga said the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists must never be forgotten. He noted that the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today were secured through the courage of many individuals who steadfastly resisted authoritarian rule.
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” We remember 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, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and all leaders and members of the National Democratic Coalition, the Campaign for Democracy, the labor movement and other pro-democracy organisations.

“We honor journalist James Bagauda Kaltho, other journalists and media organizations who defied restrictive measures, arrests, kidnappings and seizures of publications to keep the June 12 struggle alive. We honor printers who defied restrictive security measures to print banned publications.

“We remember and pay tribute to the lawyers who defended the detainees, the students who organized countless protests in the streets and on their campuses, the workers, especially members of NUPENG, who withdrew their work, the academics who gave voice to the struggle, and the Nigerians in the diaspora who mobilized international support for the sanctity of our democracy.

“We remember those who were imprisoned without trial, those jailed for aiding a coup, those forced into exile, those who lost their livelihoods, and those whose homes and businesses were attacked because they refused to renounce their democratic beliefs,” Onanuga said.

He said the documentary will serve not only as a tribute to Chief Abiola but also as a reminder of the collective sacrifices made by Nigerians who demanded respect for the democratic choice of the people.

“We remember the countless nameless Nigerians who filled the streets, endured hardship and stood firm in defense of the mandate freely given on June 12, 1993. Many paid the supreme price. Many bore wounds that history may never fully record. Their sacrifice was not in vain, as we have had 27 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999, and Chief MKO Abiola, the symbol of the struggle, was officially recognized as the winner of the election, losing his toga of ‘assumed, presumed’ winner”.

Onanuga praised the producers of *MKO* for documenting an important chapter in Nigeria’s political history and making it accessible to a new generation.

“The democracy we enjoy today was built on the courage and sacrifices of the people we identified. We owe them more than just memory. We owe them a duty to ensure that no authority can ever again overturn the freely expressed will of Nigerians.”

The President’s presence at the premiere underlined the importance his administration places on preserving Nigeria’s democratic history and honoring the men and women whose courage helped pave the way for the country’s current democratic system.

Minister Musawa said MKO chronicles the events leading to the June 12, 1993 presidential election, its annulment by military authorities, the arrest of Chief Abiola in 1994 after declaring his mandate and his death in detention in 1998.

“This documentary is in honor of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy that Nigeria enjoys today,” the Minister said.

Musawa said it was imperative to document the untold stories about the events surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election, adjudged to be one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections, so that many would know that the democracy we enjoy today came at a precious price.

He reiterated the need for a concerted effort by citizens to jealously guard national democracy and ensure that the will of the people is never again truncated.

The producer of the documentary, Oyamendan, commended President Tinubu for his tenacity, courage and belief in the principles of democracy, as well as the fatherly support he has given him over the years.

He thanked the various personalities who supported the realization of the project.

Reflecting on his relationship with the President, Oyamendan recalled interviewing him as a senator in 1992. He also thanked the people and organizations that supported the production of the documentary.

MKO is expected to help preserve Nigeria’s political history and provide the public, especially younger Nigerians, with an opportunity to reflect on the events, personalities and sacrifices that have shaped the country’s democratic journey.

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