GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi State says he was inspired by the late MKO Abiola to run for president.
Bello, a presidential aspirant in the just concluded primaries of the All Progressives Congress, said he was excited that almost 30 years after, the vision of MKO Abiola continued to live, saying that was one of the reasons he was determined to contest for the 2023 Presidency.
Bello said, “I was in the secondary school in 1993 when the struggle began and almost 30 years after, we are here to bear the torchlight of that struggle and hence my decision, your decision for Yahaya Bello to venture so that this hope can be rekindled.
“Today, we are commemorating and remembering June 12, championed by our father, our hero, our legend, our icon, Chief MKO Abiola, and Hajiya Kudirat Abiola.
“I appreciate God Almighty and all those who stood firm, saw a vision, sacrificed and are still sacrificing for the cause of democracy in Nigeria.
“I appreciate our President, Muhammadu Buhari and his team who deemed it necessary that after 29 years, our father, Chief MKO Abiola, deserves to be well honoured and decorated posthumously with the highest honour of the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
“Chief MKO Abiola represents hope for this country for the current and future generations and that is why I am happy that his prodigies, not only immediate family but all of us are carrying on with that struggle, and by the special grace of God, our struggles shall never be in vain.”
The governor, however, said that the emergence of the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as flagbearer of the party would further bring the vision of MKO Abiola to fruition.
