President Bola Tinubu, alongside First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday joined top government officials and other dignitaries at the national premiere of “MKO,” a documentary on Nigeria’s struggle for democracy.
The screening, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, was part of events marking the country’s 66th Independence anniversary.
Directed by US-based filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, the film traces the life, political battles and legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. It recounts the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely seen as a defining moment in the nation’s history, as well as Abiola’s 1994 arrest and his death in detention in 1998.
Among those at the event were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, as well as several cabinet ministers, were also present.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, led the audience in a minute of silence for those who lost their lives, livelihoods or freedom in the fight for democracy.
“The democracy we enjoy today was built upon the courage and sacrifices of the people,” Onanuga said, citing figures such as Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and slain journalist James Bagauda Kaltho.
He added that 27 years into uninterrupted democracy since 1999, Abiola has now been formally recognised as the true winner of the 1993 election, no longer described as the “presumed” winner.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, who welcomed guests, stressed the need to document such events so younger Nigerians understand the price of freedom.
“We owe them a duty to ensure that no authority ever again overturns the freely expressed will of Nigerians,” she said.
Oyamendan thanked Tinubu for his lifelong commitment to democratic ideals, recalling his first interview with the president in 1992, when Tinubu was a senator.
The large turnout of government officials, the report noted, reflects the administration’s commitment to preserving the nation’s political history and honouring those who fought for democracy.
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