Tinubu Encouraged to Acknowledge Abiola as Previous Head of State by Ojikutu

Tinubu Encouraged to Acknowledge Abiola as Previous Head of State by Ojikutu

Former Lagos Deputy Governor Calls for Recognition of MKO Abiola as Former President

In a recent development, Sinatu Ojikutu, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as a former President of Nigeria. This call adds to mounting demands across the country for the Federal Government to formally recognize Abiola, who won the 1993 presidential election but was never sworn in due to the annulment of the election by the military.

Ojikutu, who served as deputy to the late Governor Michael Otedola before the 1993 coup, expressed her disappointment in Tinubu's failure to honor Abiola in symbolic moments. She believes that Tinubu's inaction on renaming Lagos State University after its founder, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and his failure to declare Abiola as the former President during the announcement of ending fuel subsidy, have been missed opportunities.

Ojikutu's call is not isolated. Several notable individuals, including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia State governor and current senator, and Jude Idimogu, ex-Lagos lawmaker, have previously urged Tinubu to place Abiola's portrait among past leaders at the Presidential Villa.

During President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Abiola was posthumously awarded the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic title. However, many Nigerians believe this falls short of the full recognition they believe Abiola deserves. There has been no official declaration or inclusion of Abiola in the list or gallery of past presidents at the Presidential Villa, a symbolic move that many advocates expect from Tinubu’s administration.

President Tinubu has made appointments related to Abiola’s family, such as naming Abiola's daughter, Rinsola Abiola, as Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, highlighting respect towards Abiola’s legacy but stopping short of officially recognizing him as a former President.

Ojikutu's suggestion that Tinubu could have used the end of fuel subsidy announcement to declare MKO Abiola as the former President, and her belief that such a declaration could soften the hearts of the people, underscores the growing sentiment that Abiola's recognition as a former President is long overdue.

As of August 2025, President Bola Tinubu has not officially recognized MKO Abiola as a former President of Nigeria, despite these calls and demands. The question remains whether Tinubu will heed these calls and make a symbolic gesture that could have significant implications for Nigeria's political history.

[1] "Nigeria: Former Deputy Governor Calls on President Tinubu to Recognize MKO Abiola as Former President". The Guardian. August 2025. [2] "Abiola's Daughter Appointed as Director-General of Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre". NAN. August 2025. [3] "Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Urges Tinubu to Place Abiola's Portrait Among Past Leaders at the Presidential Villa". Vanguard. August 2024. [4] "Jude Idimogu Calls on Tinubu to Recognize MKO Abiola as Former President". ThisDay. August 2024. [5] "Nigerians Urge Tinubu to Fully Recognize MKO Abiola as Former President". Premium Times. August 2025.

1. The call for President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize MKO Abiola as a former President of Nigeria is gaining traction, with notable figures like Sinatu Ojikutu, Jude Idimogu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and others voicing their support.
2. During his time as the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sinatu Ojikutu expressed disappointment in Tinubu's inaction regarding symbolic acknowledgements of Abiola, such as renaming the Lagos State University and declaring him as the former President.
3. Despite the posthumous awarding of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic title to Abiola during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, many Nigerians believe that a full official recognition is long overdue.
4. In a symbolic move, President Tinubu did make an appointment related to Abiola’s family, naming Abiola's daughter, Rinsola Abiola, as Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre.
5. The absence of an official declaration or inclusion of Abiola in the list or gallery of past presidents at the Presidential Villa is a subject of ongoing discussions in Nigeria's political landscape, particularly in light of his unsworn presidency.
6. As the calls for Abiola's official recognition as a former President continue, the decision by President Tinubu on whether to make a symbolic gesture for this purpose remains to be seen, potentially carrying significant implications for Nigeria's political history.

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