I was in Kano when MKO Abiola visited sometimes in 1993.The atmosphere was charged. The excitement was unbelievable.
The Emir of Kano was on a white horse galloping to welcome Abiola to the city.
The native Hausas, the Ibos the Yorubas, were all caught up in the joy of the moment.
‘Tofa barawo, Abiola mukeso’ (Tofa is a thief, we want Abiola) the cry rented the air from every corner.
That day, even the Alamala of Yoruba street, and Tuwo sellers gave out food for free. Walahi, that day I ate so much free maza, I got sick afterwards.
On the day of the election proper, June 12, I voted in front of 1004 flats, In Victoria island. It was A4 fomular, a method where you all queued up in front of your preferred candidate’s poster.
It was very peaceful, and we were all making fun of each other, as Alhaji Ahmed was on Tofa’s side and his 2 wives were on MKO side!
When the result was announced at our polling booth, Abiola won with a big margin.
When we jumped up to celebrate, one Ibo man told us not to. He said this was the time to go home quietly and pray this election didn’t get cancelled like the others before it…
1993 happened a long time ago, but I still wish we have, what we had long time ago. That sense of purpose. That togetherness.That love that goes beyond what part of Nigeria you come.
MKO Abiola connected us in a way that only Football matches against Nigeria could.
I pray we get that feeling again someday. I pray this Fulanis, this herdsmen, this bandits that are obviously foreigners in our midst will go back to wherever they have come from and our country will enjoy real peace again.
I pray we truly understand what democracy is all about, and we begin to elect those who will really represent our interests at all levels.
Happy Democracy Day!
Ajoke Moromoke Aminat Obe (AMA)
