Abiola’s death shaped my belief in democracy, says Showunmi
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineA chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and democratic development, saying the death of the late businessman and politician, Moshood Abiola, profoundly shaped his political convictions.
Showunmi, convener of The Alternative Movement, said the sacrifices he made during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle should not be dismissed or misrepresented.
In a statement on Thursday reflecting on Abiola’s death, the PDP chieftain said the loss of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election had left an enduring emotional scar on him.
He said the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s death and the struggle to actualise the June 12 mandate had influenced his understanding of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“The scar in my heart from the loss of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola has not fully healed.
“His death and the circumstances surrounding the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate left an indelible mark on my life.
“I have therefore neither anything to prove about my sacrifices for Nigeria nor any reason to pretend that I do not understand the cost of the democratic journey we have travelled.
“I will neither make light of MKO Abiola’s grave sacrifice nor allow anyone to distort my words or misrepresent my intentions.”
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Clarifying his position on the country’s political situation, Showunmi warned political actors against taking actions that could trigger unrest, particularly threats to release unverified election results.
“Let me restate what I said. None of the contestants, particularly those threatening to release unverified election results in circumstances that could plunge the country into chaos, should be encouraged to take any action that could bring them into conflict with the law or endanger our national stability.
“I invoked the events of 1992 to illustrate how political situations can spiral out of control when caution, restraint and respect for the law are abandoned. Students of history understand the point I was making.
“I stand by that argument. My intervention was a warning about consequences, not an invitation to recklessness, and I will not permit reactionary forces to turn my counsel into something it was never intended to be.”
Showunmi also rejected suggestions that his position was driven by ethnic considerations, insisting that his commitment to Nigeria transcended sectional interests.
He urged Yoruba activists to understand his comments within the broader context of national unity, saying he would not abandon his convictions to satisfy ethnic sentiment or sectional interests.
The politician paid tribute to Abiola, describing his memory as inseparable from Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
He prayed that the late politician’s sacrifice would continue to inspire the country towards a more stable and just political order.
Showunmi also reiterated his long-standing position that Nigeria should adopt a power-sharing arrangement under which political power rotates between the northern and southern parts of the country.
He argued that a predictable and mutually respected rotation arrangement could reduce political suspicion, strengthen national cohesion and support democratic development.
“I have long expressed the view that Nigeria should manage political power through a pendulum arrangement between the Northern and Southern parts of the country,” he said.
“In my considered opinion, a predictable and mutually respected understanding of power rotation offers a framework for reducing suspicion, strengthening national cohesion and sustaining our democratic journey.”
The Ogun politician said he intended to speak more extensively in the future about his contributions to the pro-democracy struggle and how the events surrounding Abiola’s death influenced his political journey.
He also acknowledged the role played by media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu during that period, saying his contribution deserved recognition.
Showunmi cautioned against interpreting his restraint as ignorance of history or viewing his commitment to national unity as a lack of personal conviction.
He maintained that those familiar with the sacrifices and political consequences associated with Abiola’s death should not dismiss his experiences or misrepresent his understanding of the events.
“My commitment is to Nigeria. My loyalty is to the democratic ideal.
“My respect for MKO Abiola’s sacrifice is enduring.
“And my conviction that Nigeria must survive, mature and prosper remains unshaken,” he said.
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