Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has shared a surprising anecdote about the 1998 burial of late Nigerian statesman, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. Sowore, a key figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, revealed that his most difficult task that day was vetting Abiola’s alleged 66 children who came forward to claim recognition at the ceremony.
MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, died in detention under controversial circumstances. His funeral was a politically sensitive event, drawing attention from activists, family members, and the military regime at the time……CONTINUE READING
Speaking in a recent interview, Sowore explained how he and other activists took charge of the burial arrangements to prevent the military from hijacking the event for propaganda. However, he said the most challenging aspect was confirming the identities of the dozens of people who claimed to be Abiola’s children.
“The hardest job I did on Abiola’s burial day was verifying who among the 66 children were actually his,” Sowore stated. “It was chaotic, emotional, and sensitive.”
Sowore’s account sheds light on the human and logistical dimensions of that historic day. Beyond the politics, it highlighted the deep family complexities and the burden of Abiola’s legacy. The incident also reflects how civil society actors played critical roles in shaping the memory of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
Omoyele Sowore’s revelations add depth to the story of MKO Abiola’s legacy and underscore the role activists played in resisting military influence during one of Nigeria’s most politically charged funerals.
