President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday joined political leaders and other dignitaries at the national premiere of MKO documentary on the life of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Nigeria’s June 12 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, revisits the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Abiola’s subsequent struggle to reclaim his mandate and the wider campaign against military rule.
Tinubu attended the event with his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the occasion was an opportunity to remember Nigerians who died, were detained, forced into exile or suffered persecution during the struggle for democracy.
He led attendees in observing a minute’s silence for those who lost their lives.
“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.
“Many paid the supreme price. Many carried wounds that history may never fully record.”
Onanuga also acknowledged the role played by journalists, lawyers, students, workers, academics and Nigerians in the diaspora in sustaining the pro-democracy movement.
He specifically paid tribute to journalists and media organisations that continued publishing despite arrests, kidnappings, seizures of publications and other forms of repression.
The presidential aide said the sacrifices of those involved in the struggle should remain a reminder of the importance of respecting Nigerians’ electoral choices.
“The democracy we enjoy today was built upon the courage and sacrifices of the people we have identified,” he said.
“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.”
The June 12, 1993 election was annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Abiola, who was widely regarded as the winner of the election, was arrested in 1994 after declaring his mandate. He died in detention in 1998.
Hannatu Musa Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy, said the documentary captures key events surrounding the election, its annulment, Abiola’s arrest and his death.
“This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” Musawa said.
She said documenting the events was necessary to ensure that younger Nigerians understand the sacrifices that preceded the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
Oyamendan said the project was intended to preserve an important chapter of Nigeria’s political history.
The filmmaker also recalled interviewing Tinubu when he was a senator in 1992, shortly before the June 12 election.
The premiere attracted senior government officials, including 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; and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Utsev and members of the National Assembly were also present.
The documentary is expected to provide younger Nigerians with an account of the personalities, events and sacrifices associated with the June 12 struggle and Nigeria’s transition to democratic rule.
