In his final days, M.K.O. Abiola penned a powerful letter to Gani Fawehinmi, refusing to renounce his June 12 mandate. He stood by truth—even unto death
My dear Gani,
Praise be to God for your life, and for the courage, fortitude, and determination with which He has endowed you.
May we live long to serve one another and continue contributing to peace, justice, and development in Nigeria and beyond.
The Express story is a hoax. It is true that both Kofi Annan and Chief Emeka Anyaoku—apparently working together, though I saw them separately—asked me to sign a statement promising not to demand my mandate again upon release.
They believed such a statement would hasten my freedom. To each, I gave the same answer:
1. I have been isolated for four years—cut off from all media and human contact. I likened it to being buried alive.
I reminded them of Harold Wilson’s famous remark: “Twenty-four hours is a long time in politics.”
Four years is eternity. Diplomats may guess; political leaders must be certain. Once credibility is lost, it cannot be regained.
2. They claimed they were working towards my unconditional release, yet they asked for a statement that would amount to political surrender. That would be the worst form of capitulation—a betrayal of trust and principles.
3. My declaration on June 11, 1994, was made publicly before thousands. Any contradictory statement made privately under duress would be unauthentic and unacceptable. You cannot strip a man naked in the marketplace and attempt to clothe him in secret.
4. A public declaration like mine does not need repetition. June 12, once in a coma, was revived by that speech.
Today, it stands firmly on its own. I could focus on my health, attend the weddings of four or five of my children, and rebuild my fractured family, especially after the brutal killing of my dear Kudi.
Meanwhile, my supporters—who have done wonders in my absence—can continue pressing for the ultimate victory, by God’s grace.
5. I reminded them of the history of June 12. In July 1994, Olusegun Obasanjo, accompanied by 26 traditional rulers, sought a similar statement from me.
I refused, insisting that the matter was between God and a handful of powerful men. “Vox populi, vox Dei”—the voice of the people is the voice of God.
I told them that IBB cancelled the free and fair election under threat from military officers who said they would kill both of us if he swore me in.
He confessed this to two Northern emirs and Chief Ernest Shonekan during a peace meeting at the Abuja airport.
I refused to swear secrecy or accept his blackmail. That’s why I began my global campaign on August 2—since the press was silenced. Accepting such cancellation would set a terrible precedent across Africa.
The spiritual consequence of any desertion of a sacred cause like June 12 is HELL, which God forbids.
They claimed the five-year delay had killed the mandate. Anyaoku even said he’d obtained legal advice that confirmed this. My response:
- There’s no statute of limitation on valid elections, as long as the winner did not willfully abandon the mandate. Sierra Leone’s decades-old struggle between Milton Margai and Siaka Stevens is a reference point.
- If criminals could benefit from their wrongdoing by merely outlasting their victims, that would mock justice and the rule of law.
- No country solves deep political crises with legalese. Public opinion and justice must prevail. When I asked Anyaoku what his interest was in securing that legal opinion, he gave no answer—clearly embarrassed.
Annan should know that if the majority of OAU nations recognised me, the UN would follow suit. Angola’s civil war offers a precedent.
Finally, although time destroys all things material—as Shakespeare and Spencer noted—truth is eternal.
Al-Haqq is one of God’s sacred names. Truth is spiritual. Time is ultimately on the side of truth, as affirmed in both the Holy Qur’an (K17:81, K2:42, K34:49) and the Bible (John 8:32, Psalm 62, Isaiah 40:30–31).
Falsehood and its agents must vanish, like foam swept away by the torrent of time.
The Federal Military Government likely did not want to meet me directly, which is why Annan and Anyaoku were sent.
Earlier this week, I had a cordial meeting with two service chiefs. They informed me of the deaths of General Sani Abacha and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. I was impressed by their sincerity and quality of character.
I share this in detail because I heard you were upset by the Express report. You probably don’t know me well enough. If I did not bend to IBB or Abacha, would two international civil servants make me surrender?
Please, have more faith in me.
All my life, I worked for the result which God, in His mercy, gave us on June 12, 1993. As Jesus Christ said (Luke 9):
“No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Deserting June 12 would bring eternal shame—and perhaps, spiritual damnation.
A final note: On 13 January 1995, Abacha sent Prince Bola Ajibola to tell me I would not be tried. He feared my foreign financial support could unseat him. I asked Prince Ajibola for advice. He said: “Patience” (Suru ni). I told him to inform my family and lawyers.
When Dr. Ore Falomo saw me on 10 May 1997, I sent him to brief you. Did you get my message?
Kindly remember me to the family, and accept my warmest regards.
I LOVE YOU.
M.K.O. Abiola
5 July 1998
(Handed to Lola Edewor and Bisi Abiola, his third wife, during their visit—two days before he died.)
