By JUNIOR OTABONO
Miss Habiba Abiola, one of the daughters of the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, has said that her father’s death paved way for democratic government in Nigeria.
Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 1993 presidential elections died in detention.
In a statement issue in Lagos, Abiola said that the June 12 celebrations which coincided with her birthday reminded her of the many years she missed without a father on her special day.
She said; “At eight years old, I could not begin to understand the importance and significance of such a tremendous victory by my father.
”I did not realize it was the beginning of true democracy but also eventually the end of many years of military rule.
She, however, stated that; “To many, Bashorun MKO Abiola was just an accountant, philanthropist and politician. To us his children, he was just Dad.
”Our family paid the ultimate price and we still miss him dearly.”
While she reiterated that her father’s legacy and sacrifices paved the way for future democratic governments in Nigeria, Abiola said; “My father’s vision for our great nation led him to selflessly give up family, wealth and subsequently his freedom for the opportunity to serve his country which he did not live long enough to realize. Today, we all sing and rejoice that change is here. But we must not forget the struggle and the lives that were lost for the benefit we as Nigerian citizens reap today.”
