Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola (1937–1998) was a Nigerian businessman, publisher, and politician best remembered as the presumed winner of Nigeria’s June 12, 1993 presidential election—widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history.
Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Abiola rose from poverty to become one of Africa’s richest men through ventures in telecommunications, oil, and publishing (notably Concord Group). A major philanthropist, he funded education, sports, and religious causes across Nigeria.
In 1993, running on a Muslim–Muslim ticket under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Abiola won broad national support that cut across ethnic and religious lines. The military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election, triggering mass protests and a prolonged political crisis.
After declaring himself president in 1994, Abiola was arrested by the succeeding military government of General Sani Abacha and detained without trial. He remained imprisoned until his death in custody on July 7, 1998, shortly after Abacha’s own death and on the eve of his expected release.
Abiola became a lasting symbol of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle. In 2018, the Nigerian government officially recognized June 12 as Democracy Day and posthumously awarded Abiola the nation’s highest honor, GCFR, cementing his legacy as a martyr for democracy.
