JUNE 12 LESSON TWO....

JUNE 12 LESSON TWO....

The 1993 SDP Jos Convention Presidential Primary was keenly contested between Abiola and Kingibe. Most SDP Governors wanted Kingibe, the immediate past Chairman of the party who helped most of them to become Governors, it was time to pay him back. Abiola faced a serious battle with the Governors who were in charge of their state delegates...... Another rival was the embittered Shehu Musa Yar'adua who was disqualified from running by IBB Government. Yar'adua sponsored Atiku whose role was like that of a spoiler but very strategic. He was used by Yar'adua, ultimately, to create a relevance for himself. To secure Yar'adua support, Abiola had conceded party Chairman position to Yar'adua group, a decision Lamidi Adedibu warned Abiola against. He said "Conceding party structure to your rival is like bidding your career farewell...".... Abiola a Businessman believed Adedibu was exaggerating... "how can we take all? We must share with everyone".... Adedibu told MKO he was going to regret it.

In Jos, it was tough. A stalemate between Abiola and Kingibe.... Abiola's lead wasn't enough, Kingibe needed Yar'adua support to finish MKO.... But smart Yar'adua knew Kingibe was as politically wise as he was, he chose to stay with his business partner MKO who he could easily trick..... Because really, Yar'adua still wanted to be President. Yar'adua made Atiku withdraw for MKO and the back of Kingibe was broken!

Not more than 5 minutes after his defeat, in order to outsmart Yar'adua, Kingibe quickly went straight to Abiola's Tent in Jos Stadium, everyone was shocked. He congratulated Abiola and pledged his total support. He, immediately, asked to be made Vice presidential candidate..... This made Abiola furious.... "We cannot discuss that here".... Adedibu again told MKO, "if you picked Kingibe, you're finished! How can you pick a serious rival like Kingibe as your VP? He didn't come to this place to become VP, otherwise he would have stepped down for you. This man is here because he wants to be President. How can you concede party structure to someone who contested against you and give VP slot to another rival who contested against you? This is not business, this is politics.... F'ara bale je ka ko e l'oselu? "

But the Governors insisted that unless Abiola pick Kingibe, they would not support him. Abiola conceded to the Governors and picked Kingibe. Kingibe was taken to Adedibu in Ibadan, he openly postrated for Adedibu seeking acceptance. Adedibu said " Rise, afterall, they've announced your name. I'm not the candidate, Abiola is and he had chosen you... I have no choice. Rise up, congrats....".

Abiola won. IBB annulled the election, Yar'adua opted for interim government to conduct new election where he could also run, instead of SDP leadership to rise against this and stand by their victory, they supported Yar'adua interim government idea and advised Abiola to forget June 12 Election.....

Interim Came and overthrown by Abacha..... Kingibe, the Vice presidential candidate of MKO left MKO and took a ministerial appointment under Sani Abacha.....

The political structures upon which Abiola mandate stood collapsed. Adedibu was right!

The people practically took over the battle and Abiola became ABIOLA of the People and not Abiola of the SDP! The battle became Peoples Battle.... Abiola died like ordinary man for the people.... Even though, he was always surrounded by the elites during his lifetime, it was the masses that gave him his burial!

Ayekooto Akindele

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