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30 yrs of June 12: MKO son’s bombshell: Buhari cancelled benefit to Abiola family despite GCFR recognition
It will be exactly 30 years tomorrow since the June 12, 1993, presidential election generally believed to have been won by the late Bashorun MKO Abiola but annulled by the then-military government.
Abiola died in the ensuing attempt to reclaim his mandate in 1998, about four weeks after the military ruler who had detained him for declaring himself President, General Sani Abacha, mysteriously passed on in June of that year.
Abiola’s death sparked agitation across the country for his posthumous recognition as a former Nigerian leader immediately after the nation returned to civilian rule in 1999 but this was not achieved until 2018 when former President Muhammadu Buhari moved Democracy Day from May 29, the day Nigeria had returned to civil rule after the June 12, 1993 episode, to June 12.
Buhari did not stop there. He conferred posthumously the highest honour in the land and one usually conferred on Presidents or former Presidents, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), on the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Earlier, former President Goodluck Jonathan had tried to immortalise Abiola by renaming the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after him but the move was resisted by the UNILAG alumni, forcing Jonathan to beat a retreat.
Abiola’s then-running mate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, on his part, got the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) honour usually reserved for Vice Presidents or their equivalents from the Buhari administration. The gesture was interpreted in many quarters to mean that Abiola and Kingibe had been recognised as former President and former VP respectively. Whereas it is five years since June 12 was officially recognised, it is 30 years since the historic election.
President Bola Tinubu was a participant in the June 12 episode as he was involved in the then-transition to civil rule as a senator representing Lagos West before teaming up with pro-democracy elements to demand the restoration of the Abiola mandate from the Abacha regime under the aegis of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
And this is the first Democracy Day on June 12 under the Tinubu administration. In this interview, one of the children of the late Abiola, Jamiu, speaks on how the family has fared since the detention of their patriarch, the death, the murder of his mother, Kudirat, during the struggle and other issues around June 12.
It has been 30 years since the June 12 election and nearly 25 years since your father’s demise. How has it been with the family?
It has not been easy at all. It was from the heights of joy as a result of the presidential victory to the depths of sorrow because of the annulment. Such an event can only be devastating to any family. This is not to mention other countless negative consequences of the tragedy. The family has accepted the fact that life must go on.
This is the only attitude we can adopt as a family, particularly because in most countries similar to Nigeria, in terms of population and ethnic diversity, there has always been a family that has paid the supreme price for democracy and stability.
The Ghandis in India, the Bhuttos in Pakistan and even the Kennedys in the United States of America have all lost at least family members to unnatural causes that were politically motivated. This is a fact that can now be sadly said about Nigeria too.
At a time, stories about disputes resulting from sharing of inheritance were peddled. It was also said that paternity and Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, tests were conducted…
Most of what you have heard is true. When it rains it pours and this is what further exacerbated the tragedy. DNA tests were conducted but this issue was deliberately mishandled to divert attention from my father’s assets. The fact that some had failed the DNA test should never have been published in newspapers. So, there were court cases later used as excuses for stalling the sharing of my father’s assets or diverting their proceeds to fictitious legal charges. The fact that all of this was happening just a few years after my father died was a great disservice to his memory and legacy.
But this is in line with something God Himself had mentioned in the Koran when he stated that among our family members, some might be our enemies. It is a lesson from which many people, old and young, should learn. To make matters worse, those who took over his assets have even refused to maintain the house in which he was buried, even though it will not cost more than a tiny fraction of their loot.
News
[For The Record]: Acting IGP Disu Unveils His Plans for NPF, Citizens
The road ahead is not smooth,” he said, emphasising:” there will be resistance and hard choices, but my commitment to transforming this Service into one every citizen can trust will not waver.
•Tunji Disu during his decoration today as Inspector General of police, by President Bola Tinubu on February 25,2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday formally assumed office, pledging sweeping reforms anchored on professionalism, accountability, and community partnership to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
He also acknowledged the contributions of past Inspectors-General, pledging to build on the foundations they laid while steering the force toward reform.
“The road ahead is not smooth,” he said, emphasising:” there will be resistance and hard choices, but my commitment to transforming this Service into one every citizen can trust will not waver.”
Disu took over from his predecessor, Olukayode Egbetokun, during a handover ceremony, declaring that his tenure would be guided by three core pillars: professionalism and modernisation, accountability and integrity, and community partnership and public trust.
He acknowledged that existing challenges within the force, including a trust deficit with communities, outdated systems, resource gaps, and misconduct in some quarters, describe them as “uncomfortable truths” that must be confronted.“These are truths we must face with resolve to reposition the Nigeria Police as a trusted, people-oriented institution,” he said.
Reform Pillars
Disu said the police would embrace intelligence-led policing, forensic investigations, and digital tools, stressing that modern methods—not intimidation or abuse of authority—would define operations.
On accountability, he warned that impunity would no longer be tolerated.
“The badge is a symbol of public trust. Anyone who treats it otherwise will face the full consequences of our disciplinary processes,” he stated, adding that oversight mechanisms would be strengthened and processes made more transparent.
He also emphasised community policing as a philosophy rather than a programme, pledging to deepen engagement with citizens through town halls, markets, schools, and neighbourhood interactions.
Addressing officers, Disu promised to prioritise their welfare and working conditions while demanding integrity, compassion, and courage in service.To citizens, he called for cooperation, urging Nigerians to report crime, engage local officers, and hold the police accountable.
To citizens, he called for cooperation, urging Nigerians to report crime, engage local officers, and hold the police accountable.
“We are not your adversaries. We are your neighbours in uniform, and your safety is the only measure of our success,” he said.
Disu thanked Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him, describing his appointment as a heavy responsibility rather than a moment for celebration.
He also acknowledged the contributions of past Inspectors-General, pledging to build on the foundations they laid while steering the force toward reform.
“The road ahead is not smooth,” he noted. “There will be resistance and hard choices, but my commitment to transforming this Service into one every citizen can trust will not waver.
News
[UPDATED): President Tinubu Decorates Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector General of Police
The ceremony, which took place at the President’s office moments ago, had in attendance National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and the immediate past IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday decorated Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu with his new rank as the new acting Inspector – General of Police at the State House, Abuja.
The ceremony, which took place at the President’s office moments ago, had in attendance National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and the immediate past IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
However, under the amended Police Act, which allows Inspectors-General of Police to serve a four year tenure regardless of age, Disu may remain for the next couple of years .
President Tinubu, who pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform commended the outgoing IGP Egbetokun for his service to the nation.
The ceremony comes barely 24 hours after Egbetokun submitted his resignation letter to the President on Tuesday, citing family issues that require his undivided attention.
Disu arrived alongside his family members for his decoration to the new rank of the Inspector-General
Disu, until his appointment on Tuesday, was an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in-charge of Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Alagbon.
The former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, reportedly tendered letter of his resignation the previous day citing pressing family considerations.
President Tinubu expressed his profound appreciation for his decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation.
News
Explosions rocks cement -ladened trailers on Zamfara highway
It was learned that the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted on the highway by suspected bandits exploded as the trailer stepped on it.
The Police in Zamfara State have confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Funtua-Gusau highway blew up a trailer carrying cement.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Ungwar Mai Chida and caused a traffic gridlock on the highway.
It was learned that the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted on the highway by suspected bandits exploded as the trailer stepped on it.
The ill-fated truck was from Kaduna heading to Sokoto. Not a life was lost as the driver of the truck who sustained injuries, was reportedly rescued alive.
A resident said that the explosion occurred just hours after a combined team of police and military operatives had cleared and reopened the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta road in the Tsafe local government area.
The road in question has been impassable for over a month due to an IED that was planted by criminal elements.
Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Ibrahim Maikaba, said that combined tactical teams of the Police and Military, particularly the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, successfully detected and detonated multiple IEDs along the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta axis.
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