Why FELA fought MKO Abiola over ITT (International Thief-Thief)-Segun Aka Basorun

For the very first time in history, the story of the battle between late Afro beat music legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Nigeria’s symbol of democracy late Chief MKO Abiola is revealed. Fela who released the album titled ‘International-Thief-Thief’ in the 80s to chastise the late business mogul over his alleged unwholesome deal with an American Telephony firm, ITT, claiming Abiola defrauded Nigeria of millions of naira over a telephony deal for all homes across Nigeria, which he allegedly refused to install but later pocketed the money.
However, son of a late legal luminary Chief Alao Aka Basorun, Segun Aka Basorun has debunked the story that MKO Abiola looted ITT or Nigerian Government. Alao Aka Basorun who is seen as the ‘Godfather of Civil liberty struggle in Nigeria’ was a lawyer to both FELA and MKO Abiola in his life time. Segun Aka Basorun who stumbled on some documents inside his father’s chambers after dad passed away in October 1st, 2005 gave us the full and true details of FELA’s battle with MKO.
Speaking to Asabe Afrika TV team during the celebration of the famous JUNE 12 election’s 25th anniverssary recently, Segun told us the story of the deal that turned both FELA and MKO into sworn enemies. We finally asked him ‘Who is the greatest Nigerian that ever lived between FELA and MKO Abiola?’. His answer will shock you. Enjoy the clip!

[@adekunleobadina3967]

Segun Aka Basorun thank you for every sincerity of this interview

[@tboybank]

Great interview, Fela and MKO never attended the same educational institution. Fela attended Abeokuta Grammar school where his father was principal, while MKO, OBJ and SM Afolabi attended BBHS.

[@Dododawa]

"Fela attended Abeokuta Grammar school where his father was principal, while MKO, OBJ and SM Afolabi attended BBHS." ... this is proof +ve that Hon Segun AKA Bashorun did not know all the story that he is trying to tell. In fact there were so much that he got wrong.

[@adeolabode5351]

This is interesting and appreciated. Let have history lectures back in our schools. History that are written by conquers are always distorted. Am glad I heard this. Please if there are versions contrary to this, let have it but you must come with evidence o.

[@adenranarekemase3585]

Ade Olabode There is no contrary version. Extraordinary people like Abiola naturally will have enemies simply out of jealosy from their peers. That singular act of Fela using his musical talent to try to bring down an extraordinary man made me to question his philosophy long before he died. He could have simply left Decca Records owned by MKO and still able to release the album from another label. It was simply business. Unfortunately, we live in a society where many of us join the bandwagon instead of establishing the truth. Indeed, MKO was an enigma.

[@Dododawa]

good PR ... MKO did not willingly threw away his wealth and fortune, he was forced to throw them away. Segun Aka Bashorun thought we were born yesterday. MKO is responsible for most of the rot Nigeria is in today. He paved way for the greatest transfer of wealth from the south to the north with the steps he took in 1979, He created or encouraged the biggest religion divided in Nigeria. We also knew what he did to the ITT contract check after Murtala was killed.

[@rasolaji]

I barely just discovered the truth myself few days ago when I decided to google ITT and MKO involvement. What I found was contrary to what I have always known, MKO just happened to be fortunate to make friends with equal military personnel in power. But it must be said that he was a young, smart and futuristic man. Well, what else do one expect from a man that studied in Europe without help from his poor parents; he was determined to have a different life and he achieved. RIP Our president that never Lead.

[@yomiadewumimartins9741]

The guy is lying through his teeth!I'll always believe fela version of the story!Abiola was simply an economic and financial saboteur! He used his position and connection to manipulate figures to embezzle public fund!simple!no amount of PR stunt can ever take that away!

[@Dododawa]

MKO is a traitor to us Yoruba people, how dare MKO's children feel that Nigeria betrayed their father, when indeed their father lived and died a betrayal in chief. I personally have no respect or any appreciation for MKO. How can I respect a man who started his News Paper (Concord) for the sole purpose of maligning another individual who has done him no wrong. At least that was what Henry Odukomaiya said. I must say that Hon. Segun AKA Bashorun does not know all the story.

[@innocentdavid6382]

Then mko biola was used by his military friends to end fela musically.

[@jossyjohnson2470]

Thanks for the explaining more of the ITT

[@GogoColeman78]

Wetin dis mumu know for advance armed robbery skim plan by Yar Adua, Abiola and Obasanjo , international thief thief? Dis man na pure fool. Fela never use Jeep to carry firewood but Fela used Mercedes Benz that he cut off the roof. This idiot is a drunkard. He need be given some small stouts to drink with some hard grass to chew. He really needed some.smike. liar.

[@fmspec]

A very great story, sorry to say that Nigeria is a wasted land, too many missed opportunity, its a country that must not have been.

[@olumideilesanmi8292]

MKO was one of the people that prevented Awolowo from becoming Nigeria President I think for this might be the reason for him not to be president as well personally I like MKO but whatever anybody sow he shall reap

[@deeoccupier1319]

MKO Abiola's story would not be complete without any mention of MKO Abiola's treachery to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the president Nigeria deserved but never got MKO Abiola used Concord Press to fight everything Chief Obafemi Awolowo stood for similar way, MKO Abiola acquired Decca West Africa Limited, to settle personal score and conflict of interest with Fela Anikulapo Kuti, threatening Fela that he, MKO Abiola will finish Fela musically etc. MKO Abiola and Obasanjo "paddy paddy" goes way back before the military and ITT days, as whilst at secondary school, MKO Abiola was the editor of "The Trumpeter" their school magazine and Obasanjo was the deputy editor. Using Concord Press and his wealth, MKO Abiola did everything within his power to scupper Chief Obafemi Awolowo's chance of becoming the President Nigeria needed and deserved. Karma has no menu. What goes around, comes around It's no surprise, MKO Abiola got served what he deserved Omoyele Sowore for President 2019!

[@tboybank]

dee occupier they were on opposite sides and the UPN crew also controlled some newspapers. MKO was a nationalist who knew he had no chance in the UPN which was dominated by politicians from the 60s. He couldn't have achieved his goal of ruling the nation in UPN but with the NPN he stood a chance until the inner caucus of the party made it clear they were not going to give him the ticket

[@sexypast]

dee occupier, may your days be long!

[@todaybusiness4real600]

Enigmas are meant to be reverred and somewhat hated in equal measure. But this account is the truth and nothing more. Dele momodu, who later became a fan once hated Abiola during his student days at O.A.U until destiny will have them united in future. Then, did Dele himself realized most of what was in the public domain wasn't the truth and largely misconstrued. What about Abiola sinking a Ship full of Bibles? Till date there's no prooof that ever happened and believe me, alot of people run with the same narrative till date. Fela and Abiola had a contractual disagreement, nothing more. Abiola vs Awolowo; Yes we can argue back and forth but fact remains MKO was aligned with NPN though he live in UPN state and paid taxes there. Today, not every Yoruba rich man loves/ support BAT, its normal in a democracy. Even people Abiola helped in the course of life, not all of them supported him when he ran in 1993. Nduka of thisday benefited from MKo but was in the NRC and not SDP. So, this things happen. But people will always run with whatever narratives that suit them

[@olubunmiadesina6236]

My concern is that why should MKO go against Awolowo becoming the President?

[@mremre5292]

olubunmi adesina Go and ask your Grandfathers

[@mosespeter9711]

Show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are. MKO Abiola confirmed he has been friend with IBB and Abacha for more than 20yrs. Fela wouldn't have mentioned him in that song just because he was afraid/refused to publish his music. As you also rightly stated, he bought the record label to silent Fela. Abiola was corrupt and was part of some military coups. Fela doesn't look/sound like someone that'll label MKO just because of their personal issues.

[@prince280811]

God bless you. You cannot be a friend of the Nigerian military and have clean hands, am sorry

[@GogoColeman78]

The president who never ruled was chief Obafemi Awolowo. And not MKO Abiola who had became all things wrong with Nigeria. He even brought in corruption that refuses to die into the Nigerian system. Why are Nigerians hypicrites.? Not telling the truth.internatiinal thief thief...that's the simple word that could describe MKO Abiola

[@jossyjoseph7393]

Angola story will not be complete without mentioning his brother's wife he took, this was said by d head of abiola's family

[@NewEraSSKid]

Sorry the previous link on Abiola.was from Washington Post not CIA

[@hillaryo4573]

This guy knows nothing. He is just talking.