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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 Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has clarified reports alleging that his land title in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was revoked due to unpaid dues.
In a press statement issued on December 20, 2024, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, affirmed that Speaker Abbas owns only one land title in the FCT and had fully settled the required payment in October 2024. This payment was made promptly after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued public notices in the newspapers regarding outstanding obligations.
The Speaker described the inclusion of his name among defaulters as an error on the part of the FCTA and urged the agency to exercise greater caution in managing such matters.
He also called on the media to verify facts thoroughly before publishing reports, cautioning against the dissemination of misleading information that could tarnish his reputation.
The Speaker therefore appealed for restraint in circulating inaccurate.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocations.
According to a statement on Friday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read: “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas has declared that he is not owing FCTA a dime as alleged in a section of the media.
The speaker who made this declaration via a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Musa Abdullahi Kirishi stated that:
“The attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has been drawn to reports in both the print and electronic media to the effect that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) revoked land titles in the FCT, belonging to certain individuals, including the Speaker, due to non-settlement of outstanding payments.
“For the record, His Excellency, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has only one land allocated to him in the FCT, and has since settled his outstanding payment in October 2024, following the FCTA’s newspapers’ publications to that effect.
“It is, therefore, an error for the FCTA to include his name among those having outstanding payments, leading to the revocation of the land titles. The FCTA is advised to be more circumspect in handling such issues.
The Speaker cautions the media to always verify their facts before going to press with such issues.
The media are, therefore, urged to desist from further publishing or spreading such misleading information about the person of the Speaker.
Speaker Abbas Refutes Claims of Outstanding Land Payment to FCTA
Wike gives final ultimatum to land owners to pay for C-of-O
Land Title:Speaker Abbas insists he’s not owing FCTA
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