Nigeria Remembers MKO Abiola’s Mysterious Death in Custody 27 Years After

Today marks exactly 27 years since the sudden and controversial death of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of Nigeria’s annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. On July 7, 1998, Abiola died while still in military detention, barely a month after the death of former military ruler, General Sani Abacha.

According to an official statement released at the time by Chief David Attah, Chief Press Secretary to then Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Abiola reportedly died of cardiac arrest around 4:00 p.m. during a meeting with a delegation of Nigerian and United States officials.

The Federal Government expressed regret over the incident and announced that a full post-mortem examination had been ordered with the consent of Abiola’s family, and with the involvement of his personal physician, to determine the exact cause of death.

A more detailed government statement was promised.

Abiola’s death sparked widespread outrage and suspicions both locally and internationally, as many Nigerians believed he was poised for release and possible installation as president.

Despite the controversy, his legacy as a symbol of democratic struggle remains deeply entrenched in Nigeria’s political history.

June 12, the date of the annulled election, is now recognized as Democracy Day in his honour.