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Opinion

FG Should Change And Name Abuja Fct To Abiola FCT

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Reactions As Abiola Family Slams David Hundeyin Over Expose On MKO
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Chief MKO, Abiola (Photo Credit: File photo)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs‬ ‭13:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday 6th of June 2018 stunned the whole world, especially the Nigeria political and social sphere by formally after 25 years recognized the watershed of what June 12th 1993 general elections represents in Nigeria and also the recognition given to the winner (no longer the “presumed” winner anymore), Chief MKO Abiola of that historical elections, that has been adjudged to be free and fair by the entire global community.

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And by this courageous presidential power and prerogative disposition, President Buhari has finally put to rest all the agitations and yearly ritual to mark the remembrance of this epoch making day and the martyr (Chief MKO Abiola) of Nigeria current political and democratic dispensation, which commenced in 1999, and whether you believe it or not was an offshoot of the June 12th 1993.

Furthermore, as at the time of this article, the Federal Government has on the commemoration of June 12, has conferred posthumous highest national honour on Chief MKO Abiola, GCFR and on other active actors of that indelible historical event in the annals of Nigeria existence.

This proclamation and recognition of this democratic catalyst, is widely accepted, going by the trends of all the comments from the various quarters, including commendable comments from hardline critics of President Buhari.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to muster political will and courage to right the wrong which all his immediate predecessors were not able to do and this is an apt political decision and it came at the right time, when all hope, are supposed to have been lost for the actualization, of this important day, that President Buhari, in his press statement, conferring this posthumous awards to MKO Abiola, his running mate, Babagana Kingibe; and the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, said that “June 12th 1993, is even more important than October 1st, Nigeria’s Independence Day Celebration.”

Since, this recognition has been declared at the highest level for the first time, because, prior to this, it was only some states, especially in South Western – Nigeria that normally observes the June 12th Day, and have also named some state institutions and infrastructures within their states after this great man that has ushered the current democratic atmosphere that Nigeria is currently enjoying through the price that he paid.

The recurring decimal of demands every year, for recognition and posthumous immortalization of this great Nigerian, we thank God for the posthumous GCFR award, accorded MKO Abiola, but the best to show that the Nigeria State really appreciates the sacrifice paid by MKO Abiola, this is like an atonement, is for the Federal Government, under the able leadership of President Buhari, to take a posterity decision greater than posthumous GCFR, to rename the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, and if approved, to be called ABIOLA FCT, as a proper and posteriors deserved posthumous recognition, as we approach another anniversary of his death – July 7th 2018.

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This political decision will not be out place, as many places both within Nigeria and outside Nigeria has been named after illustrious people who have contributed one quota or the other  to the emancipation of that geographical location at one point in time.

A novel example, is the Washington Territory (Washington D.C) that was named after George Washington, the first President of the United Sates of America.  And Washington is the only U.S. state named after a president. And Nigeria can replicate this type of lifetime recognition for this martyr of Nigeria democracy.

MKO Abiola, should be accorded this post-humous honour to immortalize his name in  the annals of Nigeria history for the supreme sacrifice and price that he paid to usher in this present democratic dispensation we are freely enjoying now.

Many people have been postulating that the National Stadium, be named after him (MKO Abiola), but I think, if we really want to weigh and measure, what he – MKO Abiola did, by refusing to jettison, his mandate, it will take a great political  leader, like President Buhari, with a great political will do this noble and indelible recognition and seek the approval through the National Assembly, which I believe, from the positive feelers of the way, the members were discussing the proclamation of June 12th by the President, will vote for it.

When this is done, MKO Abiola will be remembered and recognized as one of the Nigeria former presidents in the Nigeria history, for ever, not everybody, will remember, the posthumous GCFR. And even, some young adults who were born post June 12th 1993, don’t even know what happened, but with the renaming of the Federal Capital Territory, after this great man, just like people all over the world, knows Washington D.C as the capital of USA, people also all over the world will know the Nigeria capital base, as ABIOLA FCT. And it will be an historical topic in Nigeria.

To further appreciate the great contributions of the Abiola’s family to the present democratic dispensation, how can we forget the death of his wife in the struggle for his release from detention and she far away America has been recognized for the role she played, when a popular intersection in New York has been named after her and it is known as “Kudirat Abiola Corner” Street.

The present Federal Government, under President Muhammadu Buhari, can further, take a courageous step as he has done for the recognition of June 12th 1993 as our truly, DEMOCRACY DAY and the posthumous award of GCFR to Chief MKO Abiola, to take the example of the historical antecedents of America and courageously rename Abuja FCT to ABIOLA FCT.

And President Muhammadu Buhari, if you can do this, your own name will resonate taller than any other Nigeria leaders.

Look at this concluding phrase from this scripture in Proverbs 11:27(a)

The one who searches for what is good finds favor……….” [Proverbs‬ ‭11:27‬ ‭(a) HCSB‬‬]

Pastor Segun Idahor

Agape Christian Assembly, Ibadan

(www.agapeibadan.com)