Obasanjo Explains Why MKO Abiola Wasn’t Sworn In as president of Nigeria 30 Years Later

After 25 years had passed since his death, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, explained on Wednesday why the late Chief Moshood Abiola (MKO Abiola) could not lead Nigeria.

Thisweekng learned that MKO Abiola was declared the election’s likely victor on June 12, 1993.

However, the publisher, businessman, and politician was turned down for the role, and on July 7, 1998, he was killed in Abuja.

Obasanjo stated at an address on Wednesday at a lecture in Ogun State called “Eyin Ni Iwe Wa: You Are Our Epistle” that MKO Abiola could not have become Nigeria’s president thirty years ago because of the deeds of some “bad belle” – (bad people).

The statement was delivered by the former military dictator during the Baptist Boys High School’s centennial celebration in the capital city of Ogun State, Abeokuta.

He said that BBHS graduate MKO Abiola was denied his mandate.

Obasanjo asserted that he would not have become the person he is today without the moral values and excellent education he received at BBHS.

He emphasized how Prince Bola Ajibola, the late sage Obafemi Awolowo, and former International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge were all shaped into the people they are today by the school.

Thisweekng learns that Awolowo attended BBHS in 1928, Ajibola graduated in 1955, Abiola was a member of the class of 1956, and Obasanjo left the institution in 1957.

Obasanjo noted that aside from education, the 100-year-old school had, at different times, inculcated godly virtue in all its products.

“Without BBHS, I would not have been what I am,” Obasanjo declared.

The retired general said the BBHS would have had MKO Abiola as another former president apart from him, but “bad belle” prevented him from becoming President.

Obasanjo said, “Today, there are distinguished old boys in all walks of life, i.e., private sector, academia, military and paramilitary, civil society, traditional rulership, etc. Such is the present President of Old Boys Association of BBHS, Prof. Kayode Oyesiku.

“I believe that I must not be too forgetful to leave out yours truly, the son of Obasanjo, a modest war-victorious General and former Military Head of State and former President of Nigeria. Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the first communication industry millionaire in Nigeria and the acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential election who was in a class by himself.

“If not for Nigerian bad belle, M.K.O. Abiola would have been President and with me as President, we would have needed one more old student of BBHS to be President for us to permanently locate it in BBHS after three times. And that is a challenge for up-and-coming generations of old boys.”

The octogenarian urged the new generation to preserve the moral virtues and discipline impacted on them by the school and pass it on in perpetuity.

Obasanjo stressed that what all products of BBHS have in common is godly virtue inculcated in them by the School.

“That was education plus. We carry it to anywhere we go as epistle written by BBHS to our families, our communities, our States, our country, and our continent of Africa and indeed our world.

“We must impact with humility, honesty, integrity, wisdom, courage, competence and fear of God – these must continue to be our characteristics and our attributes to make a change for good wherever we are. We must be different,” Obasanjo said.