How I declined N800,000 offer from MKO Abiola – Sowore

Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has recounted his unique experience meeting the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

During an appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, hosted by Glitch Africa Studios and released on YouTube Monday evening, Sowore reflected on his encounter with Abiola when he was only 21 years old. At the time, he was the leader of the University of Lagos Student Union and led a delegation to visit Abiola in the aftermath of General Ibrahim Babangida’s annulment of the historic election.

Sowore revealed that Abiola offered him N800,000, a sum he respectfully declined.

“We started protesting immediately, but while the protest was going on, we were concerned about whether Abiola was strong enough to fight the battle we were ready for—the battle of our lives.

“This was the year I was supposed to graduate from university,” Sowore explained.

“So one day, we drove directly to his house in the Student Union bus and walked into his parlour. We asked to see him, breaking all the protocols.

“When we arrived, he asked, ‘Who are these people?’ and I stepped forward. He recognised me and said, ‘Ah, student union leader, I know you. Good job!” he said.

Sowore continued, recalling how the first thing he said to Abiola was whether he was prepared for the upcoming battle. He also mentioned how, upon their arrival, there were politicians present—some of whom Sowore claims were only interested in Abiola’s money.

He stated that he immediately told Abiola that these politicians did not believe in his mandate and would eventually abandon him.

“I said to him, ‘Are you ready for this battle? Are you ready to die for Nigerians?’ and he said yes. Then, as we walked into the room, we saw politicians clinging to their bags because they were there to collect money. Abiola had a large duffel bag of cash beside him. I told him that these people didn’t believe in his mandate and would betray him.”

Sowore continued, “Abiola then reached for his duffel bag and started counting N800,000. He placed it on our side and said, ‘Student union leaders — this is for your transportation.’”

However, Sowore rejected the money, explaining that he couldn’t have come from UNILAG to Abiola’s house for N800,000 in 1993.

“I told him, ‘Chief, forget the transportation; how can N800,000 cover transport from UNILAG to here?’ We did not take the money, but he insisted. He had never given money to anyone before, but we rejected it.”

Sowore went on to say that the tension in the room was palpable, especially as some politicians were unhappy with his stance. “I was wearing slippers and my only Ankara outfit. When they saw my firm stance, Chief Anthony Enahoro, who was also there, supported me.”

He described how, in an attempt to resolve the tension, Abiola escorted them out. Outside, John Momoh, now the owner of Channels Television, and his cameraman were waiting to interview Abiola. “That’s when the famous photo was taken,” Sowore said.

Sowore added that he only became aware of the existence of this photo in 2018. “I didn’t know the footage existed until 2018.

“A photographer, Tunji Oyelero, who worked at Vanguard, had taken the photo but never gave it to me. He passed away before I got it, and one day, someone sent it to me.”