Category: News

As Nigeria marked the 32nd anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Olalekan Abiola, son of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has described the experience of the family over the years as “27 years of trauma,” following the tragic losses of both parents and unfulfilled promises by successive governments. Speaking at the family residence in Ikeja, Lagos during the Democracy Day commemoration, Olalekan recalled the harrowing impact of the annulment and his parents’ deaths. “Losing my mother to assassination while my father was in military detention made it even more painful,” he said. “We were expecting her to visit us in the U.S. just days before she was shot.” He said despite being educated and able to fend for themselves, the family has faced setbacks due to the alleged hijacking of MKO’s businesses by his eldest son, Kola Abiola, whom he accused of failing to unite all the children of the late politician. Olalekan also lamented the Nigerian government’s failure to settle huge debts owed to his father’s companies for contracts carried out through the Ministries of Communications, Education, and Defence. According to him, Presidents Obasanjo, Jonathan, and Buhari all made unfulfilled promises to audit and repay the debts. He called on President Bola Tinubu to fulfill those obligations, noting Tinubu’s longstanding relationship with MKO and his June 12 legacy. “Now that Tinubu is president, we hope he will do the needful. It’s time to pay what is owed,” he said. On the legacy of his father, Olalekan called for full recognition, including placing MKO Abiola’s portrait in Aso Rock alongside other former Nigerian leaders. He also demanded that all presidential entitlements due to MKO be paid to the family. “Chief Shonekan and even military rulers like Babangida and Abacha have their portraits in the Villa. MKO was elected by Nigerians in the freest election ever held — he deserves that honour,” he insisted. Reflecting on MKO’s personal life, Olalekan described his father as a devout Muslim, philanthropist, and nation-builder. “He lived by the values of charity, humility, and service. Even 27 years after his death, Nigerians still remember him.” He also emphasized the lessons of the June 12 struggle for Nigeria’s democracy, highlighting the need for equity in the country’s leadership. “No region should dominate another. The next presidency should go to the South-East. It’s their turn,” he said. Olalekan concluded by urging the government to ensure MKO’s will is implemented and his legacy protected under Nigerian law.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, vowing to bomb the country “absolutely” if it resumes nuclear weapons development. The remarks came in a fiery post on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Friday, in which he directly targeted Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for claiming victory in the recent 12-day conflict with Israel. Trump accused Khamenei of “blatantly and foolishly lying” and said the Iranian leader had narrowly escaped death during the war. “His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered,” Trump wrote. “I would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life.” The former president’s comments follow Khamenei’s public declaration that Iran had emerged victorious in the war and had delivered a “slap” to the United States by launching missile strikes at a U.S. military base in Qatar in retaliation for attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. Trump also revealed he had personally urged Israel to halt what he described as “the final knockout,” suggesting that restraint was exercised despite heavy damage inflicted on Iranian infrastructure. While Trump insists the strikes crippled Iran’s nuclear program, a leaked intelligence report casts doubt, stating that the damage set Iran back by only a few months—not years—as claimed. In the same post, Trump said Khamenei’s recent statements—“a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust”—prompted him to abandon efforts toward sanctions relief and economic engagement with Iran. “There was a path for sanctions removal, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery,” Trump stated. “But not with lies and threats.” The escalation of rhetoric comes just days after a fragile ceasefire brought a halt to open hostilities between Israel and Iran. Analysts warn that Trump’s comments risk reigniting tensions and could complicate diplomatic efforts moving forward.