By Abigail Philip David
Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, recently recounted his memorable encounter with the late Chief MKO Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Sowore, then 21 years old and leading the University of Lagos Student Union, recalled visiting Abiola shortly after General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election results. During a recent appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, released by Glitch Africa Studios on YouTube, he shared how Abiola offered him N800,000—a gesture Sowore declined.
In what would be their only meeting, the young student leader’s decision to turn down the money left a lasting impression. Sowore recalled that as they met, he questioned Abiola’s commitment to the “battle of their lives”—the struggle against the annulled election.
Sowore explained that he and other students had gone directly to Abiola’s home, breaking through protocol to meet him. “He recognized me right away,” Sowore shared. When he asked if Abiola was prepared for the upcoming fight, Abiola confirmed his readiness.
Sowore noticed politicians present in the room with Abiola, many of whom he believed were motivated only by financial gain. “I told him these people didn’t believe in his mandate and would eventually betray him,” Sowore stated.
Abiola then reached for a duffel bag of cash and counted out N800,000, offering it as “transportation” for Sowore and his team. However, Sowore declined, insisting that they hadn’t come for money. This firm stance surprised the politicians in the room, including Chief Anthony Enahoro, who backed Sowore.
Afterward, Abiola escorted them outside, where John Momoh—now the owner of Channels Television—and his cameraman were waiting. It was here that a now-famous photo of Sowore with Abiola was taken. However, Sowore only learned of this photo’s existence in 2018, when someone sent it to him, as it had been taken by late photographer Tunji Oyelero of Vanguard.
This encounter, he said, remains an unforgettable moment in his life and advocacy journey.
