The youngest son of the late MKO Abiola, Abdul Mumuni Abiola, has called on his brothers, Kola (pictured), Deji and Agboola Abiola, to stop “playing god” with their father’s property.
In a statement on Friday, Mumuni said his life is in danger because of his efforts to revive the abandoned projects, investments and property of his father.
Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, died under suspicious circumstances in 1998, while Kudirat was assassinated on June 4, 1996.
Mumuni said he decided to speak up after enduring intimidation and harassment from his brothers.
“I want my brothers, Kola, Deji, and Agboola to stop playing god with our father’s properties and abandoned projects and investments,” Mumuni said.
“I, my brothers and sisters totalling 40 children of Abiola are not fighting with them. We don’t have a bone to pick with them. But we need to step out of the past and of our father’s shadow.
“Kola, Deji and Agboola have been peddling lies in the media about my efforts to bring about changes to the dwindling fortunes of the Abiola family.
“I am ashamed just like my other brothers and sister to see that after MKO Abiola’s death, many of his legacies appear to be in shambles. No, it shouldn’t be like that. That is not what MKO Abiola stood for while he was alive.”
Mumuni pleaded with Nigerians to caution Kola against harassing him with the police.
He said his decision to renovate his father’s property is not for personal gains, but to restore the lost glory of the family’s name, adding that he had waited patiently for 18 years, saying he had had enough.
“I want the good people of Nigeria to prevail on Kola and his cohorts to stop using the police to harass me or those who are working with me to restore the lost glory of the Abiola family,” he said.
“Every effort I have been making to renovate my father’s properties is not self-driven. It is for all my siblings and for the name of Chief MKO Abiola not to be dragged through the mud.
“Why should some people be sending thugs and miscreants after me and those working with me to renovate MKO Abiola’s properties?
“Why should that be? Do we have to wash our dirty linen in the public? Why should only a select few of Abiola’s children sit on our father’s properties? I am not even asking them to give me and my other siblings a share of the money-spinning companies of my father that they sit on.
“Our humble request is that they should allow me and my other siblings who are interested in renovating Abiola’s derelict properties. I have been painstakingly patient for 18 years. Enough is enough.I am also informing the public that my life is in danger. I don’t feel safe any longer. If anything should happen to me or my siblings, Kola and his cohorts should be held responsible. I love life but I will not sit down cowardly.”
