MKO Last Interview With BBC While Being Arrested

BBC: What is happening in your house? Are you being arrested?

MKO: I am being arrested. I am just going out now with the police (MKO and supporters are singing the national anthem)…Hello­. There is a large crowd here. I am being escorted out to detention by singing the national anthem. 

BBC: Why are they arresting you?
MKO: They are arresting me on an allegation of felony—namely treason or something like that. They are not doing anything, they are just taking me away. Please let me go, you know I am delaying them (police).

BBC: And so where are you? Are you in your car?
MKO: I am in my car now.

BBC: Is it police who are with you in your car or are they escorting you?
MKO: The commissioner of police is in the car with me and my senior wife (Kudirat) is in the car with me

BBC: Why are they letting you talk on the phone to the BBC while they are in the middle of arresting you?
MKO: They have come to arrest me, not to arrest my mouth! (laughs).

BBC: You sound very cheerful about it Chief Abiola?
MKO: Of course (laughing). It is all part of democracy here. 

BBC: And you are happy to go to the police and await whatever charges they are going to file against you?
MKO: I am not in any way disturbed by it. Any sacrifice is in order. If it will bring democracy, peace and posterity to Nigeria.*

BBC: Is it possible to speak to the commissioner of police who is with you in the car?
MKO: I don’t know if the commissioner of police is authorised to talk; he cannot talk to the press. 

BBC: What is your advice now to your supporters? Many of them we heard a moment ago?

MKO: I told them before I left home to just stay calm. It is very, very, important that they stay calm.

BBC: So you are appealing for calm? You don’t want them to take any direct action in your support?
MKO: NO, NO, NO, NO.

BBC: You still say you are the President of Nigeria; but it is not much good if you are going to be in jail?
MKO: Well……, Mandela was in jail for 27 years; Kenyatta was in jail. I suppose that is one of the qualifications you need in this part of the world. Don’t worry yourself my friend.