President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday attended the national premiere of MKO, a documentary film by US-based filmmaker Ose Oyamendan.
Members of the Abiola family, senior government officials and other dignitaries were also present at the screening, which held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
The event formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, drawing key stakeholders from across the political and cultural landscape.
The documentary chronicles the life, political struggle and enduring legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
It focuses on the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election and the pro-democracy movement that followed its annulment, widely regarded as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.
It highlights the widespread resistance by Nigerians and pro-democracy activists who fought for the restoration of democratic governance after the election, widely regarded as one of the freest and fairest in the country’s history.
The premiere drew a high-profile audience, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau); and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also present were Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev; members of the National Assembly; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba; and other dignitaries.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, welcomed the President and guests, describing the documentary as a vital effort to preserve Nigeria’s democratic history.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to Nigerians who suffered persecution, imprisonment, exile and death during the struggle to actualise the June 12 mandate.
He led the audience in observing a minute’s silence in honour of those who lost their lives, stressing that the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists must never be forgotten.
Onanuga recalled the contributions of notable figures and organisations, including members of the National Democratic Coalition, the Campaign for Democracy, labour unions, journalists, lawyers, students and activists who resisted authoritarian rule and sustained the struggle for democracy.
He noted that journalists and media organisations defied repression to keep the movement alive, while workers, academics and Nigerians in the diaspora mobilised support for democratic governance.
“The freedoms we enjoy today were secured through the courage and sacrifices of many Nigerians,” he said, adding that the country has now experienced 27 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999.
He described the documentary as both a tribute to Chief Abiola and a reminder of the collective effort that led to the restoration of democracy, emphasising the responsibility of citizens and leaders to protect the integrity of the democratic process.
“The democracy we enjoy today was built on sacrifice. We owe it to those who fought for it to ensure that the will of the people is never again subverted,” he said.
Minister Musawa said the film captures key moments in Nigeria’s democratic journey, including the annulment of the June 12 election, Abiola’s arrest in 1994 after declaring himself president, and his death in detention in 1998.
She described the documentary as a tribute to the heroes of June 12 and stressed the need to document the untold stories of that period for future generations.
According to her, preserving such history is essential to ensuring that Nigerians continue to value and defend democracy.
Producer Ose Oyamendan commended President Tinubu for his longstanding commitment to democratic ideals and thanked individuals and organisations that supported the production.
He recalled interviewing Tinubu as a senator in 1992 and acknowledged the encouragement he received throughout the project.
MKO is expected to serve as an important historical record, offering younger Nigerians a deeper understanding of the events, personalities and sacrifices that shaped the nation’s democratic evolution.
The film will be screened in cinemas across Nigeria from Friday, October 2, 2026, extending its reach to a wider national audience. The producer encouraged Nigerians to take time to watch the documentary, describing it as a powerful reflection on a defining period in the country’s history.
He also urged corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the initiative by sponsoring private screenings for schools and educational institutions, to help younger generations better understand Nigeria’s democratic journey.
