Tinubu Attends Premiere of MKO Documentary, Honours June 12 Democracy Struggle
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has attended the national premiere of MKO, a documentary chronicling the life of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Nigeria’s June 12, 1993 pro-democracy struggle.
The premiere, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The documentary, produced by US-based filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, explores the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the subsequent pro-democracy campaign and the sacrifices made by Nigerians and activists in the struggle to restore democratic governance.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to Nigerians who lost their lives or suffered persecution, detention, exile and other forms of repression during the struggle.
Onanuga led the gathering in observing a minute’s silence for those who died during the struggle and said their sacrifices must remain part of Nigeria’s democratic history.
He specifically honoured prominent pro-democracy figures, including 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 and Alhaji Balarabe Musa, among others.
He also recognised journalists, lawyers, students, workers, academics, printers and Nigerians in the diaspora who contributed to the struggle despite government repression.
“We remember the countless unnamed Nigerians who filled the streets, endured hardship and stood firm in defence of the mandate freely given on June 12, 1993,” Onanuga said.
He said the documentary would serve as a tribute to Abiola and a reminder of the collective sacrifices made by Nigerians who demanded respect for the democratic choice expressed through the June 12 election.
Onanuga noted that Nigeria had experienced 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999, adding that Abiola, as the symbol of the struggle, had been officially acknowledged as the winner of the 1993 election.
“The democracy we enjoy today was built upon the courage and sacrifices of the people we have identified. We owe them more than remembrance. We owe them a duty to ensure that no authority ever again overturns the freely expressed will of Nigerians,” he said.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the documentary chronicles the events surrounding the June 12 election, its annulment by the military authorities, Abiola’s arrest in 1994 and his death in detention in 1998.
Musawa described the production as a tribute to the heroes of June 12 and said documenting the events was important to help younger Nigerians understand the sacrifices that preceded the country’s current democratic system.
She urged citizens to protect Nigeria’s democracy and ensure that the will of the people is not truncated again.
The documentary’s producer, Oyamendan, commended President Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to democratic principles and thanked individuals and organisations that supported the project.
He recalled interviewing Tinubu when he was a senator in 1992 and expressed appreciation for the President’s support for the documentary over the years.
The premiere was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila.
Other dignitaries included Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Utsev, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, members of the National Assembly and other distinguished personalities.
MKO is expected to preserve important aspects of Nigeria’s political history while providing younger generations with an opportunity to reflect on the events, personalities and sacrifices that shaped the country’s democratic journey.
