A former Minister of Police Affairs, Adams Maina Waziri, has said the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential candidate, late MKO Abiola and his running mate, Bashir Tofa, were not the choice of Nigerians.
Waziri said Nigerians had wanted Adamu Chiroma, late Shehu Musa Yar’adua, and Bamanga Tukur.
He, however, explained that Nigerians voted for Abiola and Tofa out of frustration for the military rule.
Speaking at the Second Posthumous Legacy Colloquium held in Abuja in honour of the late Raymond Dokpesi on Thursday, Waziri said Nigerians wanted the military regime kicked out of power.
MKO Abiola had won the June 12 presidential election regarded as the most free and fair poll conducted in Nigeria.
But, the election was annulled by former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida due to concerns of national security.
However, Waziri said: “Nigerians out of disappointment were forced to vote in 1993 for candidates not of their choice. With due respect, Abiola was not the choice of Nigerians and neither was Bashir Tofa.
“The choices of Nigerians were Adamu Chiroma, Shehu Musa Yar’adua, Bamanga Tukur, and the rest of them.
“Nigerians were tired of military rule, so they were forced to vote to see if they could just ease the military out.”
On the state of the nation, Waziri recounted Dokpesi’s efforts in helping to strengthen and stabilise the Peoples Democratic Party.
Speaking on Dokpesi’s death, the former Minister said it was good he died at home because there would have been a lot of controversy.
He said: “It was good he died at home. Otherwise, the controversy of his death on that day would have had dire consequences on this country.”
The former Minister called for a proper documentation of Dokpesi’s contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly from 1999 to May 29, 2023, to ensure his legacy is preserved.
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