Days after President Muhammadu Buhari awarded him a posthumous Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Bashorun MKO Abiola and his botched June 12 mandate have continued to be in the news.
Former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Adams Oshiomhole on Saturday disclosed how the body tried to get Abiola out of detention without avail.
According to Oshiomhole, who is the immediate-past Edo State Governor, the move failed after Abiola rejected the labour union’s offer.
Oshiomhole, who is vying for the national chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said in a statement that Abiola’s decision at the time ensured he left behind a legacy that his children could be proud of.
He said, “When Abiola was in prison, we made several efforts to see him but the military were blocking it. But finally one day, we went there and (a former NLC President), Paschal (Bafyau) who led us to him, said, ‘sir, we want you to accept the bail with all the conditions attached to it’.
“We told him that these guys are ready to keep him in prison for a long time and ensure that he will not be able to come out alive.
“The late head of State, (Sani) Abacha had asked Abiola to go and make a national broadcast withdrawing his earlier statement of pronouncing himself president. But Abiola said, ‘I will remain here in prison; I will not do their bidding’.
“Abacha eventually died and Abiola also died. Today, Abiola’s children can go anywhere and say I am Abiola and they will be respected.”