Tinubu leads dignitaries at Lagos premiere of Abiola documentary
President Bola Tinubu attended the national premiere of “MKO”, a documentary about the life, political career and legacy of Moshood Abiola. The film revisits the annulled 1993 election and the pro-democracy struggle that followed, using archival material and interviews with figures connected to the period.
President Bola Tinubu has led government officials and other dignitaries to the national premiere of “MKO”, a documentary on the life and political legacy of late businessman and politician Moshood Abiola. The event took place on Thursday at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, in Iganmu, Lagos. It formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Tinubu attended with his wife, Oluremi Tinubu. Those present included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Culture Minister Hannatu Musawa and former Ogun Governor Segun Osoba also attended.
Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan produced and directed the 108-minute documentary. He said the film was intended to preserve the story of Abiola and the events surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Oyamendan also recalled Tinubu’s involvement in the pro-democracy struggle that followed the election’s annulment.
The film examines Abiola’s rise as a businessman, publisher and politician, his participation in the 1993 election, his detention and his death in custody in 1998. It also covers the campaign for recognition of the election and the broader struggle against military rule. The documentary includes archival footage and accounts from former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and Abiola’s running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe.
Other contributors include former US ambassador Walter Carrington, former US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Pickering, former Canadian High Commissioner Gerald Ohlsen and members of Abiola’s family. The film had its international premiere at the Sheffield International Documentary Festival in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2026. Channels Television reported that it is scheduled to begin its commercial cinema run across Nigeria on Friday, October 2.
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