Compensate Abiola’s Family, Name Ikeja Residence Centre For Democracy, Okunniyi, Lekan Abiola Tell Tinubu …Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Agbakoba, Others For June 12 Lecture
Leader of June 12 Pro-Democracy group, Comrade Olawale Okunniyi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to pay a visit to the Ikeja residence of the winner of June 12 1993 presidential election, Chief Mashood Kashimawo Abiola in order to renovate it and turned it to Centre for Democracy to immortalise the late politician.
Okunniyi also echoing the former governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido who said at his book launch recently that the federal government should pay the N45 billion it owed Abiola.
Okunniyi, who spoke at Abiola’s residence on Wednesday to mark the 29th anniversary of the gruesome murder of the wife of Abiola and the heroine of the Nigerian democracy, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, said the family of Abiola deserves compensation for the fate that befell the family, losing their breadwinner, Abiola and his wife , Kudirat including their vast businesses.
He said Abiola laid down his life because of his uncompromising stance for the 26 years unbroken Democracy some politicians are enjoying today, adding that President Tinubu as one of those who fought for democracy should ensure that the Ikeja residence of the Abiolas is giving a befitting status of a former President.
Speaking in the same vein, Lekan Abiola, eldest son of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola said he believes that President Tinubu being a close associate of his late father would do the needful.
“The military government then led by Gen Sani Abacha killed my mother, my father died on the day he was to be released and all their businesses crumbled thereafter because of the government policy which was directed against my father’s business.
“The farm was shut down because they said we were using it to bring in arms and ammunition. What can be more devastating? We lost our mother, father and their businesses. I think we deserve compensation. And like Comrade Okunniyi said, this house should be renovated and turn to Centre for Democracy,” he added.
On how his mother was murdered, Lekan revealed that his younger brother, Jamiu had a premonition that the late head of state, Gen Abacha would kill their mother.
According to him, ” Jumiu was telling me that this Abacha man is wicked o. He will kill mummy o. I was like how? A woman? How can a man be that wicked to kill a harmless woman?
“The day I received the message in the US that mummy had been shot dead, I didn’t believe it. I was asking, you meant they kill daddy?”
Lekan however commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for reaching out to the family when he was the saddle.
On June 12 celebrations, Okunniyi said human rights lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba will be leading others on how to salvage the Nigerian democracy.
Other speakers are Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Gbenga Daniel, Prof Tony Kila amongst others.
