A documentary titled "MKO" was recently premiered in Lagos, Nigeria, shedding light on the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election. The documentary, written, directed, and narrated by Ose Oyamendan, tells the story of Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, fondly known as MKO, who won the election but was denied the presidency. The documentary features interviews with over 50 individuals, including former heads of state, military generals, leading politicians, and pro-democracy activists.
The June 12, 1993 presidential election was a pivotal moment in Nigeria's history, holding much hope for many reasons. However, the election was annulled, plunging the country into a compounding crisis that lasted for five years. Despite the passage of time, the story of June 12 remained a contested part of Nigeria's history, with many questions still unanswered. The documentary aims to address this critical gap by providing a commanding retelling of the story.
The documentary features rare footage, deft recreations, and revealing interviews that revisit the tortuous odyssey of the precursor of the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria. Through these, the documentary yields critical insights and vital lessons. Some of the notable interviewees include General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Bola Tinubu, Professor Wole Soyinka, and Ambassador Walter Carrington.
President Bola Tinubu attended the premiere of the documentary, which was held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos. The documentary is a result of over 10 years of work by Oyamendan, who is a journalist and filmmaker. Oyamendan's work has discharged a historical duty worthy of special commendation.
In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari officially acknowledged Bashorun Abiola as the winner of the historic election and posthumously conferred the two highest national honours on Abiola and his running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe. June 12 has been duly recognised as Nigeria's Democracy Day and as a national public holiday since 2019.
The documentary provides a platform for individuals who lived through the era to share their experiences and for younger generations to understand the significance of June 12. The rich cast of the documentary includes leading politicians, pro-democracy activists, foreign diplomats, national and foreign journalists, and aides and children of Abiola.
The premiere of the documentary marks a significant step in preserving Nigeria's history and promoting democratic values. Key points from the documentary include the historic electoral victory of Bashorun Abiola, the surprising defiance and sudden death of Abiola, and the chain of events that led to Nigeria's current democratic dispensation.
Key points
- The documentary "MKO" sheds light on the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election in Nigeria.
- The documentary features interviews with over 50 individuals, including former heads of state and leading politicians.
- June 12 has been recognised as Nigeria's Democracy Day and a national public holiday since 2019.
