My first memory of Chief Abiola was around 1971, about 47 years ago, as a pupil of the Staff School at the University of Lagos where Kola, his first son, was my classmate. A dutiful father, he used to pick up his children from school regularly.

His first wife, the late Alhaja Simbiat Abiola was also my mother’s close friend.

Fast forward to 1990 when I was a young entrepreneur. I had a taste of Chief Abiola’s magnanimity and kindness. I developed the idea for an Awolowo Memorial Concert which I shared with my good friend and Papa Awolowo’s grandson, Segun, who went to see Chief Abiola about our intention to have him as the Chairman of the event. And despite his political difference with Pa Awolowo in his lifetime, he not only showed up but arrived with his late wife, Alhaja Simbiat Abiola – and they danced to the various artistes, especially Sir Shina Peters.

The highlight for Segun and I was the NGN100,000 cheque he gave us at the event. A huge amount back then and we admired it all the way to the bank.

While we were seeing them off, he took me aside, shook my hand in commendation and called me a Great Man.

In 1991, I went to tell my late father, Sir Michael to go into politics and he dismissed it saying politics is not for “omoluwabis” as he also made a reference to the travails of Chief Abiola with the NPN leading to his much-publicized retirement from politics. I succeeded in getting him (my father) to run… and the rest is history.

After my father’s victory at the polls and seeing the need to rest, the then Governor of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Raji Rasaki (Rtd), advised him to take two weeks off, restrict visits as he provided the LASG Guest House on Joel Ogunnaike Road, GRA Ikeja, for the purpose. After a week there, I went to see my late father around 7.30 am and, lo and behold, I met Chief Abiola and Alhaja Simibiat waiting to see him in the living room. And when he saw me, he said, “Great man, where is your daddy?”

My late father felt Chief Abiola would make a great President because of his deep wisdom, large heart and pan-Nigerian outlook…

I have studied Chief Abiola’s life in politics, philanthropy and most importantly building people, and his doggedness, fairness, wisdom and a good heart are traits that should be emulated. He was a man of all seasons.

I wonder what it would have been like if Chief Abiola was sworn-in as President. Did we lose the opportunity to become the Dubai of Africa? Would Nigeria have surmounted the developmental challenges we face in health, education and industrialization?

Your guess is as good as mine.

If only they didn't truncate the mandate given to him by all Nigerians on a free and fair election.

Better left to our imaginations.

Will MKO have made the difference?

Do politicians make good leaders?

I wonder what it would have been like if Chief Abiola was sworn-in as President. Did we lose the opportunity to become the Dubai of Africa? Would Nigeria have surmounted the developmental challenges we face in health, education and industrialization?

Nobody can confidently guess right.

If Buhari wasn’t given the chance to be the president of this country in 2015, people will start telling us that Buhari would have been the best president Nigeria never had after his death.

Nobody has ever praised a man who took it upon him self to do the freest election.if he was not an igbo,he would have gotten awards that know one has never get.

,

I just love this man, somebody should advise this Mr Otedola to come out and try his luck in politics.

post=102685957:
If only they didn't truncate the mandate given to him by all Nigerians on a free and fair election.

Great man

What's the glorification of his death ?

Your guess is as good as ours...

We lost an opportunity to make Nigeria the Dubai of Africa and the envy of the world.

We refuse primitivity

Point of correction..

1. Abuola did not win the election, because the total result have not yet been announced.

2. How can you call the election freest election in Nigeria, when there was rigging, bribery , thuggery... Except you are saying those words to massage a deflected ego

3. Abuola was a backstabber, he dragged baba awolowo in the mud, all the coup in Nigeria was financed by him.

4.the north will never support an already used slave when he is to be enthroned...
Example Afonja, awolowo, mko..

post=102685957:
If only they didn't truncate the mandate given to him by all Nigerians on a free and fair election.

good afternoon sir, I wanted sending u a private message, but there is no number on ur profile, I sincerely need ur help on something... I don't know how to get across to u... Thanks and God bless..

Did Femi Ote$ tell you this story personally or it was made up by you?

What source did you get this info from??

28 years after that painful episode. Can time truly heal all wounds.

Well I will not disagree the facts because then 1976 constitution still exist as at 1993.

post=102685957:
If only they didn't truncate the mandate given to him by all Nigerians on a free and fair election.

If buhari had been a good president, will you be making this comment today?

You pitched your destiny with a failure.

You should shut up, you shameless hypocrite.

May your destiny reflect what Nigeria reflects under buhari.

That front page you are desperate to make, you won't make it