Missed it? Here is the full Transcript of the Speech Abiola Made That Got Him Arrested

Missed it? Here is the full Transcript of the Speech Abiola Made That Got Him Arrested

After the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election which is universally acclaimed to have been won by late Chief M.K.O Abiola, there were pressures by Civil Society and the International Community on the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida led Military Junta to rescind its decision and declare Chief Abiola as the winner of the election.

Taking Matters Into His Hands: Upon seeing that the Nigerian Government which was led by General Sani Abacha were not going to yield, Chief Abiola, flanked by his wife, Late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola as well as supporters converged at Epetedo, Lagos where he made the now famous ‘Epedeto Declaration’. Date was June 11, 1994

O’ our body politic, a concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography, something strangely called the ‘annulment’ of an election perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most peaceful ever held in our nation.

“Since that abominable act of Un.clad political armed robbery occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the mandate they gave me at the polls.

“But mindful of the need to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and negotiation.

“My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your mandate and to persuade them that they should not allow their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country into an era of political instability and economic ruin.

“All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has been to try and get them to realise that only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community.

“However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for weakness on my part, those with whom I have sought to dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show loyalty to the collective decision of the people of their own country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should exhibit justice and fair-play in all their dealings with their fellow men.

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