MKO Abiola belonged to the new breed of politicians. but he was not prepared to play second fiddle. It was a difficult choice and he was to learn to run while stumbling, until he finally abadoned the race in frustration.
But when it came to the nitty-gritty of politics he was easily out played by the old masters. In 1980, he was determined to unseat Adisa Akintoye as the National Chairman of the NPN.
He was already the Chairman of the Ogun State branch of the party, but he was not satisfied with a provincial position.
MKO wanted the National Chairmanship as a launching pad for his ambition to become the president. Alh Shehu Shagari, being an experienced politician knew that MKO with his money, energy and newspaper empire would be a lion on the loose. Alh Shehu Shagari, Umaru Dikko and other top notchers of the party, were determined that MKO must be stopped and they threw their lot with Akintoye.
Some of MKO'S aides had informed him that there was some conspiracy against him but he believed that if he campaigned hard and thrust money into as many pockets as possible he might just be able to dethrone Akintoye.
The crucial NPN convention was in Kano and being December, the harmatan was prevalent and aircraft could not land at Aminu Kano Airport. In order to realize his ambition, MKO braved the weather in his private jet, while all other planes were grounded in Lagos.
However, at Bida in Niger state, the pilot could not go further and the jet headed back to Lagos. The landing in Lagos was said to be miraculous.
MKO has a stubborn streak and not even the inclement weather would dampen his enthusiasm for NPN Chairmanship. Kano he must reach and immediately his plane landed, he summoned his aides and gave them money to hire buses and cars for the overnight road trip to Kano.
But his opponents were prepared, and despite the money, the energy and the sheer bravado expended, the Young Turk was beaten by the wily old fox, Akintoye.
RPI.....RETHINK,REBIRTH,REBUILD.
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