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Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola - Politics - Nairaland

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Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by desgiezd(m): 11:01am On Jul 22, 2009
Reps kill motion to immortalise Abiola

* By Onyedi Ojiabor
* Published Today
* News
* Rating: Unrated

Ethnic sentiments rather than national consciousness played a major role yesterday in the defeat of a motion by some members of the House of Representatives to immortalise the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

The motion, entitled "Immortalisation of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola", was sponsored by Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon (Edo State) and 33 other members of the House.

Immediately Deputy Speaker Usman Nafada, who presided over the plenary session, called Obahiagbon to move his motion, there was spontaneous opposition by some members.

Despite sustained distraction through various points of order, Nafada ensured that the proponents of the motion had the floor.

Obahiagbon, in his lead debate, noted that on June 12, 1993, a presidential election was held, in compliance with the enabling laws.

He noted that the candidates were Bashorun M.K.O Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

Obahiagbon said he was aware that Nigerians across ethnic, regional and religious divides voted for a candidate of their choice.

The lawmaker said the election was widely adjudged as the freest exercise in the annals of the country’s political and electoral system by local and international observers.

He said he was concerned that the annulment of the election by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida amounted to a brazen violation of the fundamental civic and political rights of Nigerians and contravened the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Obahiagbon prayed the House to immortalise Chief M.K.O Abiola, especially for paying the supreme price for the nation’s democracy.

Hon. Abbas Briama, who supported the motion, said it afforded the country an opportunity to correct the defects of June 12, 1993 presidential election by honouring the man who sacrificed his life "for the democracy we are enjoying today."

Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi also supported the motion.

He said so much money was spent on the election before it was annulled.

If the legacy of the June 12 presidential election was allowed to endure, Ozomgbachi said: "We would not lag behind in democratic principles.

"The motion is not to immortalise Abiola per se, but about the sacredness of the day. Nigeria should set aside June 12 as a public holiday in memory of the presidential election."

Hon. Dele Obadina said it would not cost the country any thing to immortalise Abiola.

He noted that Abiola represents the symbol of democracy "and nobody can water down the effect of June 12 in Nigeria."

Another lawmaker, Atai Aidoko said immortalising Abiola was the proper thing to do.

He said Abiola could be likened to Nelson Mandela who sacrificed his life to entrench democracy in South Africa.

Abiola, he said, laid the foundation of the democracy that he and his colleagues are enjoying.

But Samaila Kawu (Kano) noted that instead of immortalising Abiola, Gen. Babangida should be praised for conducting a free and fair election.

He said Abiola could not be immortalised without recognising the role played by NRC’s Tofa.

The motion, Kawu said, was uncalled for and should be thrown into the trash can.

Sani Abdul (Bauchi), who also opposed the motion, said instead of immortalising Abiola, Nigerians should be praised for trooping out to vote according to their conscience.

He said June 12 should be seen as a phenomenon "because it was a day Nigerians shunned religion, ethnicity, tribe to vote."

Abdul said rather than immortalise Abiola, "June 12 should be immortalised like May 29 that has been made Democracy Day."

More members attempted to oppose the motion, but Nafada did not entertain further contributions.

He put the question thrice, but it was not clear whether the proponents of the motion or those opposed to it carried the day.

Nafada warned those who used their microphones to distort the voice vote to desist from such.

At the fourth attempt, it was clear that those opposed to the motion carried the day, and Nafada ruled to kill it.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web/articles/11226/1/Reps-kill-motion-to-immortalise-Abiola/Page1.html
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by presido1: 11:05am On Jul 22, 2009
Immortalise him for what, because he won an election or because he conducted the election. Why not immortalise all of us that voted.
If not for his fraudlent moves with ITT where could he have gotten the money to fund his election campaign.
As far as am concerned he was a fraudstar b4 becoming a philanthropist.

How can you immortalise an International Thief Thief?(Only In Nigeria). How i wish fela is still around.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by MrCrackles(m): 11:08am On Jul 22, 2009

Another lawmaker, Atai Aidoko said immortalising Abiola was the proper thing to do.
He said Abiola could be likened to Nelson Mandela who sacrificed his life to entrench democracy in South Africa.

Kind of true. . . . . . undecided
But in general, i am kinna coy on the immortalisation move
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by kokoA(m): 11:13am On Jul 22, 2009
And so? Give me 1 reason why he should be immortalized.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by desgiezd(m): 11:15am On Jul 22, 2009
If tribalism does not destroy this nation then we are lucky. For these guys to refuse to recognise the person who paid the supreme price for the pseudo-democracy they are enjoying today, carting millions of Naira home, says a lot about the caliber of people we have as our representatives.

It is such a pity that a member of the House could open his stinking, gworo stained mouth and roll out rubbish such as quoted below:

But Samaila Kawu (Kano) noted that instead of immortalising Abiola, Gen. Babangida should be praised for conducting a free and fair election.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by presido1: 11:22am On Jul 22, 2009
Its not tribal cuz Fela won't live to see that happen so are other people from his tribe(OBJ).
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by kokoA(m): 11:30am On Jul 22, 2009
This is not an issue of tribalism, what did Abiola do in his life time to deserve this. We understand he died in prison but we can not use sentiments to run our nation.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by Kobojunkie: 12:31pm On Jul 22, 2009
Abiola Sacrificed himself What the heck?? Why do we like chasing fantasies? The guy expected his alliance with IBB to pay off for him and when it turned sour, he found himself carted off to jail by the next man and died in there. Who did he sacrifice himself for? Entrench what democracy? Abeg, make we hear truth for this country for once please!!

**Hiss** Nigerians, ever looking for heroes in the most absurd of all places!!
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by samparian(m): 3:30pm On Jul 22, 2009
The point still remains that Nigeria will always remember the date June 12, the date synonimous with MKO Abiola.

it will be taught in schools. Our children will learn of the man who won the freest election held in Nigeria.

The events of June 12 1993 are already in our history books and we dont need politicians looking for more avenues to steal money in the name of immortalising MKO Abiola.

Some of us will remember him as the SDP candidate who would have been a President but died in jail.

others will choose to remember him from the ITT saga which Fela has immortalised.

different strokes for different folks grin
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by imranmo(m): 11:58pm On Jul 22, 2009
Immoratlizing People is what goes on in our Second tier in Nigeria , how about trying to tackle more pressing issues that concern the living! This post is just stupid. tongue
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by desgiezd(m): 8:59am On Jul 23, 2009
imranmo:

This post is just stupid.

Just as a slowpoke, if you claim this post is stupid what would you say or do to the House of Representatives member who sponsored the bill and those who debated it?
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by mafioso(m): 9:03am On Jul 23, 2009
Immortalize ITT? shocked

Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by SegzyJoe(m): 10:01am On Jul 23, 2009
Tribalism is one of the greatest challenge this country must overcome if it would move forward. If MKO Abiola did not deserve a mention in our history then who does? Is it the current set of looters that deserve it or what?

Now since the death of Abiola, have we had any better election ever since? Have we as a nation voted for any candidate overwhelmingly across ethnic divides as we did during June 12? If not why? Does that means there is no correlation between the personality of MKO and the voting pattern of June 12, 1993 election that disregard ethnic sentiments? If there is none, why haven't we voted like we did in June 12 since the last 10 years of democracy?

In political behaviours, it is taking for granted that there is a correlation between popularity and voting pattern in any election, so why do people say MKO is not the issue in June 12, 1993 election, if the the then military government had been a sincere one, won't MKO be announced as the winner? Won't he be the main issue of that election?

What the honourable House did was a deservice to the Nigerian people, they have just reminded us that we do not have the capacity to vote across enthinic divides, that we can not by sheer determination usher in a new dawn of democratic governance in Nigeria, that we can not effect positive change except through their time proven election rigging machiner. If as a people we can not rise above sentiment to vote our leader irrespective of his/her ethnic background, in effect, we legitimising a process of perpectual election rigging that we continue to insult our collective aspiration.

By giving MKO a mention in our history, we are reminding ourselves that we can rise above primordial sentiments to bring about change in our society, it is not about Abiola per se, it is about the fact that we can do it. Without that mindset gradually we will all give up on Nigeria. The uniqueness of Obama election is the fact the American people believe that they can effect positive change, they gave it a trial and it has become history today. If Obama funbled they know they can always do it again. But our Hon. Reps want us to forget that history in a haste, that we cannot do it, we cannot usher in a new Nigeria, that is why if the of Soludos, Ribadus of this world contest for presidential election in Nigeria, the Iboris of this world will beat them to it anytime anyday.

This has nothing to do with Abiola, if we celebrates June 12, we energise ourselves that we can always do it again. The great problem of Nigeria is the elites, for them to contineu in their primitive wealth accumulation, the various ethnic groups must be pitched against one another, the day we unite as a people, we can check the looting of our collective wealth.

1 Like

Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by imranmo(m): 10:40am On Jul 23, 2009
The House member is also stupid, simple
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by desgiezd(m): 10:42am On Jul 23, 2009
I advise you read the post by Segzyjoe or is he stupid too?
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by Olubachar(m): 10:47am On Jul 23, 2009
Nigerian & their political behaviour's
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by Nobody: 10:51am On Jul 23, 2009
SegzyJoe:

Tribalism is one of the greatest challenge this country must overcome if it would move forward. If MKO Abiola did not deserve a mention in our history then who does? Is it the current set of looters that deserve it or what?

Now since the death of Abiola, have we had any better election ever since? Have we as a nation voted for any candidate overwhelmingly across ethnic divides as we did during June 12? If not why? Does that means there is no correlation between the personality of MKO and the voting pattern of June 12, 1993 election that disregard ethnic sentiments? If there is none, why haven't we voted like we did in June 12 since the last 10 years of democracy?

In political behaviours, it is taking for granted that there is a correlation between popularity and voting pattern in any election, so why do people say MKO is not the issue in June 12, 1993 election, if the the then military government had been a sincere one, won't MKO be announced as the winner? Won't he be the main issue of that election?

What the honourable House did was a deservice to the Nigerian people, they have just reminded us that we do not have the capacity to vote across enthinic divides, that we can not by sheer determination usher in a new dawn of democratic governance in Nigeria, that we can not effect positive change except through their time proven election rigging machiner. If as a people we can not rise above sentiment to vote our leader irrespective of his/her ethnic background, in effect, we legitimising a process of perpectual election rigging that we continue to insult our collective aspiration.

By giving MKO a mention in our history, we are reminding ourselves that we can rise above primordial sentiments to bring about change in our society, it is not about Abiola per se, it is about the fact that we can do it. Without that mindset gradually we will all give up on Nigeria. The uniqueness of Obama election is the fact the American people believe that they can effect positive change, they gave it a trial and it has become history today. If Obama funbled they know they can always do it again. But our Hon. Reps want us to forget that history in a haste, that we cannot do it, we cannot usher in a new Nigeria, that is why if the of Soludos, Ribadus of this world contest for presidential election in Nigeria, the Iboris of this world will beat them to it anytime anyday.

This has nothing to do with Abiola, if we celebrates June 12, we energise ourselves that we can always do it again. The great problem of Nigeria is the elites, for them to contineu in their primitive wealth accumulation, the various ethnic groups must be pitched against one another, the day we unite as a people, we can check the looting of our collective wealth.


ITS ONLY IN 9JA THAT THIEVES ARE IMMORTALISED. IMMORTALISE FOR WHAT. WHO THE HELL IS HE. THANK GOD HE'S ALREADY ROTTEN.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by emisun(m): 11:31am On Jul 23, 2009
i think we got a truck load of problem in this crazy country and so should waste our precious time on issues like that.
the house of reps is full of imcompetent assholes that does not know their work,well
in the first place,who elected them,who are they representing and who are they ever going to represent.I HEREBY
JOIN THE LEAGUE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLING FOR A REVOLUTION.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by GEW: 11:36am On Jul 23, 2009
do we have to immortalize other thieves killed in bar beach too?

nigerians have short memories
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by mayrho(m): 11:48am On Jul 23, 2009
angry angry angry angry angryUseless people angry they have 4gtn that if this guy no do wetin im do dem 4 no dey wia dem dey 2day
angry angry angry angry
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by ABS1(m): 12:45pm On Jul 23, 2009
mayrho:

angry angry angry angry angryUseless people angry they have 4gtn that if this guy no do wetin im do dem 4 no dey wia dem dey 2day
angry angry angry angry


People have forgotten he had the chance to run like others before him. Immortalise 'the date' then, if you have personal sentiments against 'the man'.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by otukpo(f): 1:32pm On Jul 23, 2009
ABIOLA CANNOT BE EQUATED WITH NELSON MANDELA OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by pek(m): 2:19pm On Jul 23, 2009
i dont see the need for it. his desire to be president was borne out of personal desires and nothing else. he had the money and the means. remove that and he is a nobody. others have done more for this country than mko and nobody remembers them. if the truth must be said, he died out of stubborness and selfish cause even though it was obvious he was fighting a losing battle with supeiro powers.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by Nezan(m): 2:21pm On Jul 23, 2009
otukpo:

ABIOLA CANNOT BE EQUATED WITH NELSON MANDELA OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Period,,,,,,,,,,,,,let's not overflog this issue
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by OpsE1: 4:00pm On Jul 23, 2009
If MKO cannot be immortalised then June 12 should be recognised or do you guys also think June 12 should not be mentioned in Nigeria's political history?.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by PurestBoy(m): 4:13pm On Jul 23, 2009
Ops E:

If MKO cannot be immortalised then June 12 should be recognised or do you guys also think June 12 should not be mentioned in Nigeria's political history?.


If Abacha, OBJ, IBB could all be immortalised, then I see no reason why MKO shouldn't be

1 Like

Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by pek(m): 4:23pm On Jul 23, 2009
PurestBoy:

If Abacha, OBJ, IBB could all be immortalised, then I see no reason why MKO shouldn't be
how were they immortalised?
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by blackchief(m): 4:36pm On Jul 23, 2009
M K O ABIOLA WAS A GREAT MAN IF REP. LIKE IT OR NOT WHEN THE TIME COMES, HE WILL BE IMMORTALISE. ABIOLA WHEN HE WAS ALIVE, DID MORE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA IN POLITIES AND SPORT THAN ANY REP. MAN NOW IN THE HOUSE.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by dearie(m): 5:27pm On Jul 23, 2009
Should Immortalising Abiola be an issue now? when we have a myriad of pressing issues to attend to.

When will we ever learn to set our priorities right?
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by MrCrackles(m): 5:28pm On Jul 23, 2009
dearie:

Should Immortalising Abiola be an issue now? when we have a myriad of pressing issues to attend to.
When will we ever learn to set our priorities right?

I wonder. . . .Talk about misplaced priorities!
Hopeless Country angry
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by okokomeji: 5:31pm On Jul 23, 2009
mafioso:

Immortalize ITT? shocked

First of all, the topic is posted by Igboman, then, the first-twenty comments made by Igbos.
F.uck all Igbo people! I shall never see this great country divided because of Bia-failed and I pray God should reciprocate with every last one of you (your bad wishes for Nigeria). F.uck you, if you don't do amen, I do it by myself. Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cool cool cool cool cool cool cool grin grin
I just got off from an argument about this same topic. Haters, Abiola was on the same level with Nelson Mandela. He had fame, money to be. Igbo people, you want Ojukwu to be immortalized be bold enough and go to house of reps.  I bet non of you is redy to throwa rice on chinese wedding. Ojukwu had illions of Biafailed bloods hanging on his neck, now he feels like an alien in the UFO.

Your chicken has come home to roast.
Pa Anthony enaoro (an enemy in disguise, when they need helps from Westerners that is when you see them. He came to Awo's rememberance in AOU, he just showered eucomium of the sage and later came up with self-determination. Let's just assume, they want to immortalize Awo, he would be the first to object. Igbos are no good)wants self-determination in his backyard. It’s high time, his menopause ravaged old folk wants to have a pregnant.
Biafailed, you cannot break down this great nation on us, the worst should be you living Nigeria and go back to Sahara or Israel where you claimed you came from.
We have be cheated a long time and will lean with it, so you can to slow down your agitations.
Because, government has discovered Oil Or Oyel like you called it, in the east and now it’s high time for your self-determination?
Now, no more cocoa proceeds, it has shifted to Oil preceeds, the whole Nigeria shall be benefited from Oil, just like they did to Cocoa proceeds.
Resources distribution took this form. Of the 100% income accruing to the regions that were to retain 50%, thirty five percent redistributive income after polling together so that the regions without a good resource base could benefit, while 15% was to be polled together to run the centre. In the following analysis, we will see how the Hausa/Fulanis have withdrawn 98 % to the centre.
SWIFT ALTERATIONS:

This era saw the beginning of the deliberate distortions of the popular constitutional arrangements between the federating units agreed upon from 1953 and 1959.
First to come under the hammer was the revenue sharing formula. From the 50% revenue accruing to the regions according to the derivation principle, the new military regime removed 5% and added it to that of the Federal government in 1967. The government divided the regions (which had become four as a result of one additional region fraudulently carved out of the west in the heat of the Western regional crisis.
By 1975, Muritala Muhammed seized power from Gowon. Knowing that the Federal civil service was dominated by the Yorubas, because of their early exposure to Western education, 10,000 civil servants were sacked in a day. He equally ordered the removal of the Federal capital territory from Lagos, a Yoruba city, to Abuja in the north. Radio and television stations, which were established by the regions were also taken over. The same fate befell primary and tertiary institutions. The Federal government under Muritala said it wanted to ensure 'uniform" development. He took over roads and all health institutions which were in the care of the west. The first stadium of international standard built in the 1 950s in Ibadan by the Western regional government, which was also the first of its kind in Africa was taken over. And under the guise of the centre having enormous responsibilities in her hands, Muritala removed a whooping 20% from the remaining 45% revenue accruing to the states from derivation.
Under a new economic arrangement, another staggering 20% of the remaining 25% revenue accruing to states from derivation was removed. Shehu Shagari ran the economy aground within four years. The Buhari succeed coup’s regime could not understand why the states still had "so much" percentage of the derivation revenue in their control. Of the 5% derivation revenue remaining with the states, (three and half percent) was taken, leaving a paltry (One and half percent) for the states.
Re: Reps Kill Motion To Immortalise M. K. O. Abiola by okokomeji: 5:35pm On Jul 23, 2009
dearie:

Should Immortalising Abiola be an issue now? when we have a myriad of pressing issues to attend to.

When will we ever learn to set our priorities right?
@dearie and Mrcracles or Mrcracy

Should Bia-failed self-determination and secessionist's mission be an issue now? When we have a myriad of pressing issues to attend to!

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