On June 12, Nigerian presidential hopefuls Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi are among the luminaries expected to attend a memorial service for the late MKO Abiola.
On Friday, Anthony Kila, chairman of the event’s organizing committee, made the announcement.
Abiola was proclaimed the winner of the presidential election on June 12, 1993.
The election was invalidated by the military government at the time, resulting in huge protests across the country.
According to the announcement, the event, which will be held at the MKO Abiola family estate in Lagos State, dubbed the Nigeria’s Democracy Centre, is intended to complement the government’s official declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day as a result of MKO Abiola’s sacrifice.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event would be a combination of virtual and physical attendance, according to the announcement.
The statement runs as follows:
“To that end, the historic event is expected to feature prayers, tributes, roll calls of honour to Nigerian democracy’s heroes and heroines, and the laying of a wreath of honour in memory of MKO Abiola, who gave his life to defend the mandate of the Nigerian people freely given to him on June 12, 1993, which birthed the current democratic rule in Nigeria.”
Prof Wole Soyinka, Chairman of the Occasion, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, General Alani Akinriabde, Prof Pat Utomi, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Barr Femi Falana, SAN, Barr Mike Ozekhome SAN, Senator Shehu Sani, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Senator Sheh Similarly, all Pro June 12 Governors and Stakeholders have been invited to speak and pay tribute at the event, which will be hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 19 protocols, this year’s anniversary celebration is being organized as a hybrid event to accommodate more participants online via Zoom beginning at 11 a.m., as this year’s anniversary celebration is also billed to witness the annual Roll Calls of Honours for distinguished Nigerians nominated as heroes and heroines of Nigerian Democracy.”
