How I turned down N800,000 from MKO Abiola — Sowore

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, has shared a compelling account of his encounter with the late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Sowore, who was only 21 at the time, recalled how, as the leader of the University of Lagos Student Union, he led a delegation to meet Abiola shortly after General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election.

Sowore shared this story during his appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, released by Glitch Africa Studios to YouTube on Monday evening.

In what was both their first and only meeting, Abiola offered Sowore N800,000, a gift that Sowore claimed to have declined.

This memorable encounter left a lasting impact, as it would be the only time Sowore would meet the man many believed to be Nigeria’s rightful president.

MKO Abiola, Sowore viral photo

Co-anchored by Nedu, Husband Material, Deity Cole, and Ezinne, the first question posed to Sowore was about a viral photo of him with Chief MKO Abiola, one of the wealthiest men in Africa at the time.

Sowore explained that the photo was taken in 1993 when he was 21, shortly after the military annulled the June 12 election.

“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.”