New Documentary on MKO Abiola to Premiere in October

Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan’s documentary, MKO, tells the story of late businessman and politician Moshood “MKO” Abiola. It will hit cinemas across Nigeria on 2 October.

MKO focuses on Abiola, who played a key role in the historic 12 June 1993 presidential election. The military government annulled this election, leading to a struggle that ended with his death in detention in 1998.

The film will have its premiere on 1 October at the National Theatre in Lagos, with President Bola Tinubu as the host.

This documentary features former military leaders Ibrahim Babangida, who annulled the 12 June election, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, who oversaw Nigeria’s return to civilian rule. It also includes former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, who was Abiola’s running mate.

Other notable figures in the film are former American diplomats Walter Carrington and Thomas Pickering, who led the meeting during which Abiola died. The film also includes former Canadian High Commissioner Gerald Ohlsen, members of Abiola’s family, foreign journalists, and Theodore Zadok, who was Abiola’s security guard during his detention.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, Mr Oyamendan mentioned that those featured in the documentary gave a very close look at the last chapter of Abiola’s life.

He said the premiere and cinema release will be a significant moment for a film that revisits an important part of Nigeria’s modern political history.

Mr Oyamendan said: “For us, as a film team, it is a huge honour that President Tinubu is recognising this important film as Chief Host. But when you look closely at the story and its world, the importance becomes even clearer.

“This was a critical time in Nigeria’s history, where many leaders chose to support the dictators. Tinubu risked his life, livelihood, and his family’s safety by standing with the people’s mandate. This is a story of that struggle that has brought us to where we are today.”

Additionally, Mr Oyamendan said the film uses a large collection of archival footage and strong testimonies from individuals closely connected to the events it covers.

He mentioned that the documentary debuted at the Sheffield International Documentary Festival on 12 June, where it received praise before getting wider attention internationally.

He noted that the film shows, through cinema, one of the most important episodes in the history of democracy in Africa.

“This is a story that belongs to Nigerians. It is about memory, power, courage, sacrifice, and the consequences of political choices. Most importantly, it is about people who believed their voices mattered.

“Thirty-three years after June 12, we have the chance to look back at what happened, not just to remember it, but to understand it and make sure it never happens again,” said the filmmaker.

Nile Entertainment will distribute the documentary and lead a campaign to reach beyond its usual audience and into cinemas nationwide.

This initiative will give Nigerians, especially younger viewers, a chance to see a significant part of the country’s history on the big screen.

Moses Babatope, Managing Director of Nile Entertainment, commented on the project, saying the documentary is personally significant to him.

He described the film as an important addition to Nigeria’s political history.

He said, “The story of MKO Abiola is particularly personal to me. My father worked at Concord Newspaper, one of the institutions founded by Chief MKO Abiola, so his legacy has always been a personal connection to my family. Beyond that personal connection, I believe this documentary is an important addition to preserving Nigeria’s political history.

“MKO Abiola’s story is one of the most defining periods in our nation’s democratic journey, and this history must be recorded and made accessible, especially to a younger generation. It is a record of a key moment in Nigeria’s history, brilliantly captured by Ose Oyamendan. We are proud to support its release and encourage audiences across the country to watch it in cinemas from October 2.