The national premiere of MKO, the documentary on late Chief M.K.O Abiola, drew President Bola Tinubu and a roll call of Nigeria’s high and mighty at the National Theatre, Lagos on Thursday.
Abiola died on 8 June, 1998 after four years in detention under the late General Sani Abacha, mostly under solitary confinement. He had declared himself president elect in what was popularly referred to as the “Epetedo Declaration” titled: Enough is Enough. It led to a massive manhunt following the declaration as it dared the military junta. He was subsequently arrested and detained. He died about a month after Abacha died in mysterious circumstances.
Held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Iganmu, the October 1 screening was part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
President Tinubu, who returned from Europe for the event, was Chief Host. He was joined by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun; Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Minister Hannatu Musawa; and former Governor Segun Osoba.
Directed by Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, the feature-length film revisits Abiola’s life as businessman, publisher, philanthropist and politician, the June 12, 1993 election, its annulment, detention and death on July 7, 1998.
The 108-minute documentary features rare archives and exclusive interviews with Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, Wole Soyinka, Baba Gana Kingibe, Walter Carrington, Thomas Pickering, Gerald Ohlsen and Abiola’s family.
It premiered internationally at the Sheffield DocFest in June and will open in cinemas nationwide from October 2, distributed by Nile Entertainment.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the premiere also honoured June 12 heroes including Anthony Enahoro, Abraham Adesanya, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Alfred Rewane, Frank Kokori and Bola Ige.
