#RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has recounted how some pro-democracy activists betrayed Nigerians and worked in cahoots with the military to install one of their own as President.

Sowore stated this while speaking with Seun Okinbaloye on ‘Mic On Podcast’ on Saturday.

The activist, who was one of the young Nigerians at the frontline of the struggle for the return of democratic government in 1999, expressed regret that many of those who put their lives on line to fight for the enthronement of democracy in the country secretly worked with military authorities at the expense of the mandate given to the winner of the1993 Presidential election, Moshood Abiola, popularly known as M.K.O. Abiola.

Sowore said they would have formed a political party, taken over the power and put Nigeria on the path of honour and right trajectory shortly after the struggle but the military government would not register the party.

He stated that Nigeria has not had a democratic rule since the military was forced out of power, stating that what the country has had is civilian rule.

According to him, the betrayal was one of the reasons why he left the country in 1999.

Sowore said, “The political class who were fighting on our side as at that time were complicit including the leaders of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) when they met with the former military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar but refused to meet with Moshood Abiola, who was in detention and seek his release.”

He noted that the betrayers consolidated, took over power and started adjusting the system to suit their agenda.[GA1] 

“It started as a joke that Abiola will be released and killed, we did not believe it. So when he was released, we were waiting in Lagos and I was the lead person.

“We were meeting in the home of one of his wives, Onitiri Abiola, on a regular basis preparing for his return.

“Something was clear; that his release will not be related to the transition programme because the Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku and Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Anan visited him.

“They released Obasanjo who was already sentenced to life imprisonment or death, I can't remember.

“But Abiola who did not commit any crime was kept in detention in Abuja and kept having various visitors putting pressure on him. He was eventually brought to the Villa, served a cup of tea and that was the end,” he said.