By Kolawole Ojebisi
Jamiu Abiola, the son of the late winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola, has revealed why probing former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, over the death of his father is a futile exercise.
The late business mogul’s son rather stated what he expects of Nigerians as parts of efforts to sustain his father and mother’s memories.
Jamiu expressed his position on the June 12 debacle which was recently thrust to the front burner of national discourse with the publication of Babangida’s autobiography, ‘A Journey In Service’, in an interview with Punch Newspaper on Sunday.
MKO’s son explained that the time for such investigations had passed away, stating that many key figures involved in the June 12 tragedy are no longer alive.
“There is no need for prosecution or probe. So many years have passed and most of the good and bad actors in the June 12 tragedy have passed away,” Jamiu said.
He added that the ideal time for a probe would have been during the second term of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when Nigeria’s democracy was more stable and many individuals involved were still alive and could provide accurate accounts of events.
Jamiu further stated that for those interested in knowing more, his book, ‘The President Who Never Ruled,’ offers insights into the annulment and the surrounding events.
“It (the book) will let you know exactly what happened during the annulment and why it happened,” he said.
However, he added: “The best way to compensate our family is for the Abiola family to see all Nigerians adopting the attitude they adopted on the day of June 12, 1993, which in a nutshell is to reject tribalism and religious differences when electing leaders and to see themselves as members of the same family regardless of their states of origin,” he explained.
He further noted that Nigerians should focus on transforming the country from a divided nation to a unified one.
“By so doing they will be heeding the call of President Bola Tinubu to shun ethnicity and transforming Nigeria from a country to a nation.
“I will not ask for more than that because to do so would bring down the high standing of Moshood and Kudirat Abiola following their unique sacrifice. They gave up their lives and will be rewarded with more than 500 million years in a place better than any castle in this world,” he added.
While acknowledging that any worldly honours bestowed upon his late parents would be appreciated, Jamiu firmly believes that such recognition pales in comparison to the eternal reward his parents are enjoying.
“Any worldly honour given to them is definitely welcome, but believe it or not, it will be only a drop in the ocean compared to what they are enjoying right now and will continue enjoying while every single one of those who cheated and killed them burn in hell forever and ever by the special grace of God,” he stated.
