Tinubu attends premiere of MKO documentary on June 12 struggle

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday attended the national premiere of MKO, a documentary on the life and political struggle of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

The premiere was held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The documentary, produced by US-based filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, chronicles the events surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the subsequent pro-democracy struggle in Nigeria.

Tinubu joins dignitaries at premiere

The event attracted several senior government officials and prominent personalities, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Also in attendance were the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba; members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, welcomed the President and other guests to the premiere.

Onanuga honours June 12 heroes

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to Nigerians who lost their lives or suffered persecution, detention, exile and other forms of repression during the struggle for the restoration of democracy.

Onanuga led the gathering in observing a minute’s silence in honour of those who died during the struggle.

He recognised several pro-democracy figures, including Chief Anthony Enahoro, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Frank Kokori, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chima Ubani and Chief Bola Ige.

He also honoured journalists, lawyers, students, workers, academics and Nigerians in the diaspora who contributed to the struggle, as well as those who were imprisoned, forced into exile or lost their livelihoods over their democratic convictions.

Onanuga said the sacrifices made during the struggle must not be forgotten, stressing that the documentary would serve as a reminder of the collective efforts that helped shape Nigeria’s democratic journey.

He commended the producers of MKO for documenting an important chapter in Nigeria’s political history and making it accessible to a new generation.

Minister recalls Abiola’s ordeal

Musawa said the documentary captures the events leading to the June 12, 1993 election, its annulment by the military authorities, Abiola’s arrest in 1994 after declaring his mandate and his death in detention in 1998.

The minister said the film was produced in honour of the heroes of June 12 who sacrificed their lives for the mandate and the democracy Nigeria enjoys today.

She stressed the importance of documenting the events surrounding the election so that younger Nigerians could understand the sacrifices that preceded the country’s current democratic system.

Musawa also urged Nigerians to protect the country’s democracy and ensure that the will of the people is not truncated again.

Oyamendan, the documentary producer, thanked Tinubu and other individuals and organisations that supported the project.

He recalled interviewing Tinubu when he was a senator in 1992 and praised the President for the support he had given the documentary project.

MKO is expected to preserve Nigeria’s political history and give younger Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the events, personalities and sacrifices that shaped the country’s democratic journey.