Kola Abiola’s Presidential Ambition, a Ruse

To the fair and noble of mind, politics is just another avenue to help and serve people. It is the unruly and undisciplined that erect political figurines of themselves in a bid to siphon both public approval and public funds. Abdul-Lateef Kolawole Abiola, son of the late symbol of democratic vision, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO), is of the former category. Nevertheless, recent reports have demonstrated that he has little or no interest in changing the world through politics or—contrary to rumours—becoming a presidential candidate.

It is not certain how the rumour started, but it did, and several people and agencies have already filled the purses as a result of it. Out of the blue, posters bearing Kola Abiola’s face and name started appearing on social media with the implication that Abiola intends to join the presidential race come 2023. Furthermore, the posters carry the All Progressives Congress logo, implying that Abiola was set to go against several of his friends that belong to the ruling party by not informing them beforehand.

However, several friends and aides of Kola Abiola have denied the assertion of ‘Abiola for 2023!’ According to one of them, Abiola has nothing more than a middling interest in the country’s political somersaults, being fully immersed in his devotion to serving its people without needing unnecessary attention or canonisation.

Nevertheless, it is evident that the gambit is well-meaning and not a ploy to get Abiola involved in the same theatre that led to his father’s death in 1998. According to insightful people, the intention of those that started the rumour is twofold. One is to rekindle the mandate of MKO and give hope to those who remember the happy prospects of decades past, intimidate greedy politicians, and remind them that some prominent Nigerians still care about the country’s welfare enough to shed blood, sweat and tears. Ultimately, Kola Abiola is not running as a presidential candidate under any political party. It is all a lie.