The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has directed the state Ministry of Housing to immediately give the house of the late presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Basorun MKO Abiola, at Ọja Agbo,Gbágùrá, Abeokuta, a face-lift in preparation for Democracy Day on Wednesday.
Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari, before leaving office, had declared June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria, as against May 29, to celebrate the sacrifices made by Abiola in the quest for restoration of democratic government in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital on Tuesday.
The statement averred that the governor wants the family house of the late Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land to be befitting and conducive for many pro-democracies activists who would be visiting for the celebration.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of the Abiola’s family, Alhaji Tajudeen Abiola, has expressed gratitude to the state government for the gesture, which he said would not only bring changes to the Abiola family house alone, but to the community as the collapsed external drainage system were also touched.
He said, “We are grateful to the state governor for this kind gesture. The fallen ceilings were replaced, the windows were touched and the old buildings are wearing new looks.”
On his part, one of the sons of the late business mogul, Ameen Abiola, said the family was grateful for the generous disposition of the state government aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the legacy and ideals of their late father.
He enthused that the family would always be greatful for the various efforts aimed at bringing alive the memory of their late father
Abiola, a business mogul and philanthropist was believed to have won the June 12 presidential election in 1993, which was annulled by the then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. He later declared himself as President and was consequently arrested.
He eventually died in detention on July 7, 1998 in very controversial circumstances.
