This is Basorun MKO Abiola (my role model)Last Interview via phone by BBC in June, 1994
BBC: What is happening at your house? Are you being arrested?
MKO: I'm being arrested, I'm just going out now with the police
(National anthem being recited in the background by his supporters, so there was a momentary pause in conversation)
MKO (continues): There is a large crowd here and I am being escorted out to detention by singing the national anthem
BBC: Why are they arresting you?
MKO: They are arresting me on the allegation of felony and treason or something like that (his voice becomes low and he continues) they are not doing anything they are just taking me away. Please let me go, you know I'm delaying them.
BBC: and so where are you now? Are you in your car?
MKO: I'm in my car now
BBC: is the police with you in your car or are they escorting …..(MKO cuts in)
MKO: The commissioner of police is in the car with me and my senior wife (Kudirat Abiola) is in the car with me.
BBC: Why are they letting you talk on the phone to the BBC while in the midst of arresting you?
MKO: (chuckles) they've come to arrest me not to arrest my mouth
BBC: You sound very cheerful about it chief Abiola
MKO: of course you know(chuckles on) it is all part of democracy here
BBC: And you are happy to go to the police and await whatever charges they're going to file against you
MKO: I'm not in any way disturbed by it, ANY SACRIFICE IS IN ORDER if it will bring democracy, peace and prosperity to Nigeria.
BBC: Is it possible to talk to the commissioner of police who's with you in the car
MKO: I don't know if the commissioner of police is authorised to talk, he cannot talk to the press.
BBC: what is your advice now to your supporters many of them we heard a moment ago?
MKO: I told them before I left home to just stay calm! It is very very important that they stay calm
BBC: So you are appealing for calm you don't want them to take any direct action in your support
MKO: No, no, no, no
BBC: You still say you're the president of Nigeria but it's no much good if you're going to be in jail
MKO: well, Mandela was in jail for 27years, Kenyatta was in jail. I suppose that is one of the qualifications you need in this part of the world, don't worry yourself my friend …….
*End of phone interview and that was the last we heard from him*
His wife Alhaja Kudirat had this to say upon MKO's arrest
"When I saw M.K.O. alighting from the Black Maria, I felt really bad. I was weeping. I felt so sad that something like that could happen to someone of his caliber"
He indeed paid the ultimate price for democracy
June 12 is our Democracy Day, Nigerians
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
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