by Akan Ido

After years of deliberately refusing to acknowledge MKO Abiola’s contribution to Nigeria’s transition to democracy, former President Olusegun Obasanjo appears to have finally made a complete U-turn.

It was a born again Obasanjo who spoke in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State today saying the late multimillionaire businessman sacrificed everything for the development of this country.

The former president was responding to a statement credited to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who said Ogun State would have produced three presidents if not for “bad belle.”

Obasanjo who was among the dignitaries attending the 4th founder’s day celebration of NobelHouse College, Abeokuta and the 85th  birthday of industrialist, Olatunde Abudu, agreed with the traditional ruler saying, “As Kabiyesi has said, that Ogun State would have produced three presidents if not for ‘bad belle.’ I want to agree with him that Abiola sacrificed for the nation.

“Indeed, Abiola contributed to the development of this country. He sacrificed everything for the development of this country,” Obasanjo stressed.

Present at the event were the head of interim national government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Osile Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, among others.

Late chief MKO Abiola is the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The election which was described as free and fair by local and international observers was annulled by former military president, Ibrahim Babangida.