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Abiola’s son reflects on father’s legacy
Abdul Mumuni Abiola, son of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO), has provided intimate revelations about his father’s legacy and the complex dynamics of their family during an exclusive interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye.
Central to their discussion was a striking revelation about the scale of the Abiola family, disclosed through a significant blood test.
“My father had 40 wives,” Abdul disclosed during the podcast, “and after blood tests, his children numbered 55,”
This revelation not only highlighted the intricacies of Abiola’s personal life but also underscored the deep intersection of his private affairs with his public persona and Nigeria’s tumultuous political history.
Reflecting on the profound significance of June 12, Abdul described it as a poignant annual moment.
“It’s a time where the nation can reflect on where we are and where we need to be,” he remarked, emphasising the emotional weight and historical importance of the election day that was tragically annulled.
The conversation also delved into the profound tragedies that befell his family, particularly the untimely deaths of both his father and mother.
“Two to three years after my father’s arrest, my mom was shot down on the streets of Lagos State,” Abdul recalled, vividly recounting the devastating losses that irrevocably shaped their lives.
Highlighting Abiola’s character, Abdul passionately extolled his father’s humility.
“My father was so humble. The way he spoke to the gate man was no different from how he spoke to a king,” he emphasised
Expressing disappointment in the management of the family’s extensive assets and businesses, Abdul lamented: “It’s a total shame, not just for the Abiola family but for the Nigerian people,”
The interview also touched upon familial tensions, particularly regarding the stewardship of Abiola’s estate.
The late businessman’s son openly criticised his half-brother, Kola, for what he perceived as mishandling their father’s legacy.
He said kola cannot rule Nigeria.
“MKO Abiola’s legacy would have been properly sustained if Kola was in a better position. And he could have been a voice of better democratic values, but he chose not to.
“During the time my father was still in jail, he was busy (with other things). It’s sad, but I’m a little pleased that my father didn’t come out to see what his first son has become.
“I’m unhappy with him (Kola Abiola), and even Nigerians are unhappy. You can see how many people voted for him when he campaigned for the presidency.
“I wondered how he thought he could be president when he could not manage Abiola’s empire. How will he manage Nigeria?
“This is the problem in Nigeria: people are not showing capacity in their own little sphere of work but want a higher position.”
Abdul emphasised his father’s enduring vision for Nigeria, centred on poverty eradication and inclusive governance, which he believes remains critically relevant today.
He contrasted this with his disillusionment over current Nigerian political leadership, stressing the urgent need for leaders prioritising public welfare over personal gain.
Hinting at his political ambitions, Abdul expressed a desire to enter public service to effect meaningful change, echoing the principles of service that defined his father’s life and aspirations.
Questioning the role of Western powers in Nigerian and African affairs, Abdul voiced concerns about potential interference and agendas that could undermine democratic values and the interests of the Nigerian people.
Despite the challenges and complexities discussed, Abdul remains resolute in upholding his father’s legacy, navigating intricate family dynamics while steadfastly preserving the Abiola name amidst contemporary socio-economic pressures.
By Ojomah Austin.
The evolving fall-out, which comes barely days to the contentious National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP, followed a back and forth between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Governors forum, who declared support for Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara to be made leader of the party in the state.
After a meeting with some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Bauchi on Wednesday, Governor Mohammed, said “According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated,” stressing that Damagum would be replaced soon considering that he hails from North East and not the North Central.
Same day, Makinde, during the groundbreaking of the upgrading of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, to an international airport, which was attended by another set of NWC members, led by Damagum, said he would support whatever decision the Damagum-led NWC would take to reposition the party.
Damagum, who is considered a close ally of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, was appointed acting national chairman after the removal of Iyorchia Ayu in June 2023.
Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP led by Senator Adolph Wabara, met with members of the National Assembly caucus in Abuja.
The close door meeting comes barely hours after the BoT met with Wike in Abuja.
While Wabara refused to comment on the essence of the meeting with the lawmakers, it was noticed that most of the lawmakers didn’t honour the invitation.
By Mario Deepromoter
Sad development in Marika village, Kiyawa Local Government, Jigawa, where a 40-year-old man, Jibrin Adamu, committed suicide by hanging himself.
According to eyewitnesses, Adamu’s lifeless body was discovered in a classroom at Miftahul Khairat Islamiyya and Primary School Gurdiba on Thursday.
Police spokesperson DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary investigations revealed Adamu had struggled with mental health issues.
“Police received a report on Thursday that at about 1830hrs, a tragic incident was reported at the Command headquarters that one Jibrin Adamu ‘m’ age 40yrs of Jigawar Maroka village, Kiyawa LGA has committed suicide by hanging himself over the ceiling at Islamiyya school,” the Police spokesperson told Daily Post.
The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, CP AT Abdullahi, has instructed officers to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
By Mario Deepromoter
11plc, Total Energies, AA Rano, and other marketers have begun lifting Dangote Petrol through Nigerian National Company (NNPC) Trading Limited for N765.99 to retail outlets nationwide.
Findings showed some petroleum marketers who were able to complete their payment process on the NNPC trading payment portal commenced the lifting of petrol earlier this week under the existing agreement between marketers and the refinery.
Tunji Oyebanji, managing director, 11Plc confirmed to BusinessDay on Thursday evening that some marketers have started lifting the products at N765.99 from Dangote Refinery through NNPC who remain the sole off-taker of product.
“We were among the first marketers to complete the payment on the NNPC portal. We have no direct arrangement with the refinery,” Oyebanji said.
It was gathered that NNPC Retail, 11plc, Total Energies, A.A Rano are among the marketers that have picked up products from the refinery.
He added, “We don’t know the contractual financial arrangement between NNPC and the refinery but what I can confirm is we are buying at N765.99 from NNPC to lift Dangote petrol”.
Efforts to get the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to confirm if its members have picked up products at the Dangote Refinery proved abortive at the time of writing this report.
See also Nigeria’s Petrol Landing Cost Revealed
Adedapo Segun, executive vice-president, downstream at NNPC said marketers cannot purchase petrol directly from the refinery because the product is still sold at a subsidised rate.
“That is the same thing happening with Dangote. I said earlier that Dangote is a company and it is going to sell at market price,” he told Journalists.
According to Segun, “The market value of PMS is still higher than what N766 or N765 or N799 that NNPC is selling.
“The situation has not changed there. So, NNPC’s off-taking is only because the others would not buy at the price Dangote will be willing to sell, which is reasonable.
“As soon as the price allows for it, you will see the marketers go to Dangote and buy.”
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