On June 11, 1994, 31 years ago, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola stood before a determined crowd and declared himself the rightful President of Nigeria. His speech on that day is now known as the Epetedo Declaration.
It was an audacious move, one that would set in motion a chain of events leading to his arrest, incarceration, and ultimately, his mysterious death. But what exactly did Abiola say that made him a marked man? What was it about his speech that so rattled Nigeria’s military dictatorship?
Before that, let us navigate Abiola’s political journey.
Early life
Born on August 24, 1937, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Abiola was given the name ‘Kashimawo’—a Yoruba expression meaning ‘let’s wait and see.’ His parents, having suffered the loss of previous children, withheld his formal naming until he turned 15.
Signs of resilience and destiny marked his early years. His father’s financial difficulties forced young Abiola to fend for himself at just nine years old. To support his family, he began selling firewood. This experience instilled in him the value of hard work and self-reliance—principles that would guide his remarkable journey.
After completing his schooling, Abiola left home to work as a clerk at Barclays Bank in Ibadan, then the capital of Nigeria’s Western Region. It was on the very day he secured this job that he suffered the devastating loss of his mother. From that moment, his determination to succeed became even stronger.
Rise to Prominence
Abiola’s fortunes changed dramatically when he pursued higher education in Scotland. He became a chartered accountant at the University of Glasgow, acquiring the knowledge and skills that would propel him to global prominence. By 1966, he returned to Nigeria, eager to put his expertise to work.
Over the next two decades, he built an empire. As Senior Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East at the International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) Corporation, he gained extensive international experience, solidifying his status as a business titan. By 1988, he was recognised as the International Businessman of the Year. His influence extended further when he was appointed head of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1990.
Despite his vast wealth, Abiola never forgot his humble beginnings. A philanthropist at heart, he dedicated himself to alleviating the struggles of the less privileged. His generosity and contributions to society earned him the prestigious title of Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland in 1987, effectively making him the Field Marshal of the Yoruba people.
Politics and the June 12, 1993, Election
Abiola’s political aspirations came to the forefront in 1993 when he contested the presidency under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His campaign was a unifying force in Nigeria’s deeply divided political landscape. He won widespread support, including in Northern states where a Southern candidate’s success had once seemed impossible.
A week before the election, he participated in a nationally televised debate with his opponent, Bashir Tofa. He faced scrutiny over various issues, including his business interests in the oil sector. Despite these challenges, he emerged victorious in the polls, securing wins in 19 of Nigeria’s 30 states.
However, his triumph was short-lived. The election, though acclaimed as free and fair, was abruptly annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, instead of handing over power, installed an Interim National Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan. The move was met with fierce opposition from Nigerians who saw it as a betrayal of democracy.
The Epetedo Declaration: A Speech That Changed History
Shonekan’s feeble administration, lacking both legitimacy and authority, was swiftly dismissed by a Lagos High Court, which ruled it unconstitutional.
Seven days later, on November 17, 1993, General Sani Abacha took control in a bloodless coup, ousting Shonekan under the guise of restoring stability. Many, including Abiola himself, initially believed Abacha would correct the injustice of June 12 by reinstating the rightful winner. Instead, Abacha solidified his grip on power, appointing his own ministers—including members of Abiola’s camp—in what turned out to be a calculated betrayal.
Realising that his mandate would not be honoured, Abiola took matters into his own hands. On June 11, 1994, he addressed thousands at Epetedo, a historic enclave in Lagos Island, delivering a speech that would forever etch his name into the annals of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
Now known as the Epetedo Declaration, Abiola spoke with clarity and resolve, denouncing the annulment as an act of “naked political armed robbery” and accusing the military of plunging Nigeria into “an era of political instability and economic ruin.”
For a year, Chief Abiola had sought diplomacy. He had tried to reason with the military rulers, to appeal to their conscience. But their refusal to yield left him with only one option – to take the fight to them with his voice as a weapon.
His words were a call to action, urging Nigerians to reject military rule as South Africans had rejected apartheid. He likened their oppression to “minority rule,” branding Abacha’s government as an illegitimate force that must be removed.
He was direct. He was unyielding. And he was fearless.
But the Abacha regime would not tolerate such defiance.
Twelve days later, on June 23, 1994, a convoy of over 200 police and military vehicles stormed his residence in Ikeja, led by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie. Abiola was arrested and charged with treason. His final recorded words to the BBC that day hinted at his unwavering conviction. He knew what was coming, but he refused to be silenced.
Chief MKO Abiola would spend the next four years behind bars. He never lived to see the democracy he fought for.
Incarceration and Tragedy
With Abiola’s imprisonment, Nigeria entered one of its darkest political eras. The military dictatorship cracked down on opposition voices, arresting activists and even resorting to assassinations. One of the most shocking incidents was the brutal murder of Abiola’s wife, Kudirat Abiola, on June 4, 1996.
Abiola himself was held in solitary confinement, deprived of adequate medical care. Despite offers from Abacha to refund his campaign expenses in exchange for renouncing his mandate, he refused to betray his cause. While the international community called for his release, the Nigerian government remained unmoved.
On July 7, 1998, just as negotiations for his release seemed to be gaining traction, Abiola collapsed and died during a meeting with a U.S. delegation. The official reports suggested he suffered a heart attack after drinking a cup of tea. The sudden death of the Yoruba warlord, politician and businessman, sent shockwaves around the world.
Though he never ruled, Abiola’s sacrifice and struggle ultimately discredited military rule in Nigeria. His legacy as a champion of democracy remains indelible. Six years after his death, the New African magazine listed him among the 100 greatest Africans of all time.
Abiola’s life was a testament to resilience, ambition, and a deep-rooted belief in justice. His famous speech, in which he defiantly proclaimed, “You cannot shave a man’s head in his absence,” encapsulated his solid belief against oppression. He understood that true leadership is not just about holding office but about fighting for the will of the people.
June 12 was more than a political event; it was a symbol of unity, proving that Nigerians could rise above ethnic and religious divisions. Even in death, his name remains synonymous with democracy, inspiring future generations to stand against tyranny and injustice.
Chief MKO Abiola may never have ruled, but in the hearts of millions, he remains the President Nigeria was denied.
Analysing the Epetedo Declaration
Abiola’s 1994 Epetedo Declaration was a masterstroke of defiance, strategy, and inspiration. In it, he made three key arguments:
1. The Legitimacy of His Mandate – reminding Nigerians that he had won a fair election, using precise figures to reinforce the undeniable truth.
2. The Failure of Military Rule – highlighting the economic devastation and international disgrace brought upon Nigeria by the military, exposing their incompetence and corruption. And finally,
3. A Call to Action – urging Nigerians to rise, to resist, and to reclaim their power from an oppressive minority.
The Epetedo Declaration was not just a speech—it was a battle cry. A moment of truth that shook Nigeria to its core. What made this speech so dangerous? It was not just a declaration; it was an indictment against the Nigerian military, a rallying cry, and a direct challenge to General Abacha’s rule. In short, Abiola’s speech in June 1994 was a death sentence. However, it made the people see their collective strength. And for that, the military government sought to crush him.
Abiola’s words sealed his fate, but they ignited a movement that would eventually bring an end to military rule in Nigeria. What happened in those four years between his arrest and his mysterious death was the darkest period in post-civil war Nigeria.
Your support can make a world of difference in helping us continue to bring Nigeria’s rich history to life! By donating to HistoryVille, you’re directly contributing to the research, production, and storytelling that uncover the incredible stories of our past. Every donation fuels our mission to educate, inspire, and preserve our heritage for generations to come.
Additionally, if you’re a business or brand, running adverts with us is a powerful way to reach an engaged audience passionate about history and culture while supporting content that matters.
Please stay connected with us through our social media handles and make sure you are subscribed to our YouTube Channel. Together, let’s keep the stories of Nigeria’s past alive.