Statecraft & Independence
Peerless
M. K. O. Abiola
1937 – 1998
Won the freest election Nigeria ever held, and died in detention for insisting on it
Peerless is level 1 of 4 in the Nigeria Hall of Fame: changed the field itself. Tell the country's story without them and the story breaks. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
12 June 1993 is still called the fairest vote in Nigerian history. The junta annulled it. He declared himself president anyway, was jailed, and died in custody four years later, weeks before his expected release.
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola won the presidential election of 12 June 1993, widely regarded as the freest and fairest Nigeria has held.
General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the result. Abiola declared himself president regardless, was arrested by the military government, and was held for the rest of his life. He died in detention on 7 July 1998, weeks after the death of Sani Abacha and while his release was being discussed; an official autopsy recorded a heart attack, though Abacha's chief security officer later said he had been beaten. June 12 is now marked in Nigeria as Democracy Day.
General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the result. Abiola declared himself president regardless, was arrested by the military government, and was held for the rest of his life. He died in detention on 7 July 1998, weeks after the death of Sani Abacha and while his release was being discussed; an official autopsy recorded a heart attack, though Abacha's chief security officer later said he had been beaten. June 12 is now marked in Nigeria as Democracy Day.
- Pulse Nigeria — June 12: MKO Abiola, the annulled presidential election and everything that happened
- Business Elites Africa — June 12: a blow-by-blow account of the 1993 polls, MKO Abiola's arrest and his death
- Wikipedia — MKO Abiola Statue
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