Obasanjo makes U-turn on Abiola: He sacrificed for Nigeria

A former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, acknowledged on Saturday that the late acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola, in Abeokuta made sacrifices for the nation. He made this remark at the 4th founder’s day of Nobelhouse College, Abeokuta and 85th birthday of an industrialist, Chief Olatunde Abudu. The former president, who was one of the guests at the event, commented on a remark made by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who said, Ogun State could have produced three presidents, if not for ‘bad belle.’ He described Abudu as a rare specimen of human being, who he had never seen got annoyed, he commended him for his philanthropic disposition and business acumen. Obasanjo said, “As Kabiyesi has said Ogun State would have produced three presidents if not for ‘bad belle.’ I want to agree with him that Abiola sacrificed for the nation.” Also present at the event were the former head of interim national government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former attorney general and minister of justice, Prince Bola Ajibola; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, among others. Obasanjo also noted that Egbaland had brilliant minds who had contributed to the development of the nation. His remark came less than two weeks to the 21st anniversary of the annulled June 12 election, which was widely believed to have been won by Abiola but was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd) On his part, Senator Amosun, who also praised the philanthropy of the proprietor and called on other well- meaning Nigerians to partner with government in the development of the education sector. He said, “Government alone cannot do everything, so we are calling on well meaning Nigerians to join us. We are creating the enabling environment.”[PUNCH]