Over 60 Out of 120 Abiola's Children Failed DNA Test - Olalekan Abiola Reveals

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that, Olalekan Abiola, son of the late business magnate and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, has made startling revelations about his father's legacy, the family’s struggles, and the impact of that political watershed on Nigeria’s democracy.

OTN News further reports that Olalekan speaking at the family residence in Ikeja, Lagos, during this year’s Democracy Day remembrance, disclosed that following the provisions of MKO’s will, DNA tests were conducted to verify claims by individuals asserting they were fathered by Abiola. 

However, he Olalekan revealed that “about 120 children came forward to say they were MKO’s children, but only 54 of them passed the DNA test. That means 66 failed."

Furthermore, he explained that, many women who came into Abiola’s life did so seeking help, shelter, or support, and would subsequently name their children after his father. 

“They would change their children’s names to Abiola and that was why my father insisted DNA tests be conducted,” Olalekan said.

Subsequently, speaking on the family's struggles, he described the past three decades as a painful and traumatic journey for the family, especially following the assassinations of both parents in the course of the June 12 struggle.

“Honestly, it’s been 27 years of trauma, especially with my mother’s assassination,” Olalekan said. “She was not arrested, not detained, nor placed under house arrest. One minute she was at home, the next she had been shot. That was more painful than my father’s death.”

While MKO Abiola died in military detention after four years of incarceration, Olalekan said the shock of losing both parents to the democratic struggle has left permanent scars on the family. “We were hoping my daddy would come back so that we could rebuild our lives. That never happened.”

On the financial legacy of MKO Abiola, Olalekan lamented that successive governments have failed to honor debts owed to his late father. 

He said, “the Federal Government still owes my father large sums through various ministries, Communications, Education, and Defense.

"Obasanjo, Jonathan, and Buhari all promised but never fulfilled. Tinubu hasn’t said anything yet,” he added.

OTN News observes that despite the hardships, Olalekan expressed joy that his father’s legacy remains strong in the hearts of Nigerians. 

“The man died 27 years ago, and yet Nigerians still remember him as if he died two weeks ago. That’s a legacy I’m proud of.”

OTN News observes that Olalekan accused his elder brother, Kola Abiola, of sidelining other children in managing the family’s business empire. 

“Kola is supposed to be the leader of all the children, but he only acts in the interest of his mother’s children,” he said.

Speaking further, Olalekan described his father as a man ahead of his time, recalling how MKO's election broke political and ethnic barriers. 

“He was a Yoruba Muslim who had a Muslim running mate but was massively voted for by Christians. He defeated a Hausa-Fulani in Kano. That shocked the establishment,” he said.

“He was a pathfinder. He cultivated relationships all over the country. He was loved across tribes. That is why his victory had to be annulled, he broke the jinx.” Olalekan added.

Olalekan, however, called on the Nigerian government to go beyond symbolic gestures like renaming Democracy Day after MKO Abiola. 

He urged authorities to install MKO’s portrait among past presidents at the Presidential Villa and pay the full benefits due to him as a president-elect.

“People like Sani Abacha and General Babangida who never contested any elections have their pictures in the Villa. Even Chief Shonekan, who served as interim head of state, is recognized. Why not MKO, who Nigerians freely and fairly elected?” he queried.

Furthermore, speaking on his father spiritual life, he said one of the greatest lessons he learnt from his father was the importance of religion and charity. 

He elucidated, “he raised us to pray five times a day and taught us to be charitable. He believed that the more you helped people, the more Allah helped you.”

On the future, Olalekan called for unity within the Abiola family and more equitable distribution of power in Nigeria. 

“I hope Kola can still bring all the children together,” he said. “And when the presidency comes back to the South, it should go to the South-East. No tribe should dominate another. That’s the spirit of June 12.”

With the longest stretch of uninterrupted democracy now reaching 26 years, Olalekan sees hope that the sacrifices of MKO and Kudirat Abiola were not in vain. 

“This democracy that everyone is enjoying today was paid for with the blood of our parents. That should never be forgotten.” he stressed.