June 12: Gov. Abiodun orders renovation of Abiola's house

By Demilade Michael

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has directed the State Ministry of Housing to give a face-lift to the house of late Chief MKO Abiola, at Gbagura, Oja Agbo area of Abeokuta, in preparation for  Democracy Day on Wednesday. 

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in June 2018 declared June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria, as against May 29, to celebrate the sacrifices made by Abiola in the quest for restoration of democratic government in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the governor wants the family house of the late Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland to be befitting and conducive for many pro-democracies activists who would be visiting for the celebration.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of the Abiola's family, Alhaji Tajudeen Abiola, has expressed gratitude to the State government for the gesture, which he said would not only bring changes to the Abiola family house alone, but to the community as the collapse external drainage system were also touched. 

"We are grateful to the State governor for this kind gesture. The fallen ceilings were replaced, the windows were touched and the old buildings are wearing new looks," he said.   

On his part, the son of the late business mogul, Ameen Abiola  said the family was greatful for  the generous disposition of the State government  aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the legacy and ideals of their late father. 

According to him, the family would always be grateful for the various efforts aimed at bringing alive the memory of their late father.

Abiola, a business mogul and philanthropist, was believed to have won the June 12 presidential election in 1993, which was annulled by the then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. He later declared himself as president and consequently arrested.

He eventually died in detention on July 7, 1998, in very controversial circumstances.