Prominent legal expert Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja in honour of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, widely regarded as the symbol of Nigeria’s democracy.
Shittu made the appeal during the annual June 12 National Dialogue hosted by the Eminent Patriots of Nigeria in Lagos. Themed “Democracy Without a Democratic Constitution: Which Way for Nigeria?” the event gathered notable figures in politics, law, and civil society to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey.
According to Shittu, renaming the electoral commission’s headquarters as “MKO Abiola House” would serve as a lasting tribute and a moral reminder to Nigerian leaders about the central role of credible elections in sustaining democratic governance.
“Naming the INEC headquarters after Chief MKO Abiola will symbolize a national commitment to credible elections and honour the memory of the man whose mandate was unjustly annulled in 1993,” he said.
Shittu also urged the federal government to release all entitlements due to the Abiola family, describing the move as a necessary step toward justice.
“The annulment of the June 12, 1993 election by the Babangida regime was a grave injustice. The government must rectify this by compensating the Abiola family for what they lost,” he added.
Call for a People’s Constitution
Beyond symbolic gestures, Shittu emphasized the need for a new, homegrown constitution that reflects the will of the people. He criticized the current political system as being driven by money, patronage, and violence.
“We practice ‘cash-and-carry’ democracy, where political offices are won through money, anointment, or intimidation. Nigeria needs a truly democratic culture rooted in the people’s will, not a military-imposed constitution,” he said.
Other Speakers Echo Democratic Concerns
Several prominent Nigerians joined the dialogue virtually and in person, sharing their perspectives on democracy and national unity.
- Dr. Idika Kalu, former Finance Minister, acknowledged Nigeria’s challenges but stressed the importance of remaining hopeful and united. “Despite our setbacks, we must appreciate the journey so far and protect our unity. No enemy can defeat us if we stay together,” he said.
- Prof. Pat Utomi, political economist, lamented Nigeria’s slow democratic progress and urged continued resistance against oppression. “We thought Nigeria would be among the world’s top 10 economies by now. But look where we are. Still, the struggle must continue. If we die, we die — but Nigeria will rise again,” he declared.
- Gboyega Adejumo argued that the current state of affairs diminishes the significance of June 12. “We may be marking June 12, but there’s little to celebrate. We are celebrating corruption, not democracy,” he said.
- Mike Omeri, former DG of the National Orientation Agency, called for a true federal system where all regions work collectively for national development.
- Other contributors at the dialogue included Wale Okunniyi, Chris Iyovwaye, Maxwell Gidado, Nwogwugwu Uche, and Wale Akinselure, all of whom reiterated the importance of electoral reforms, justice, and constitutional restructuring.
The dialogue ended with a renewed call for leadership accountability, democratic reforms, and national healing through institutional and symbolic actions — beginning with honouring Chief MKO Abiola’s legacy.
