Abdul, a son of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, in a recent interview on the podcast show “Mic On,” has expressed doubts about his elder brother Kola’s ability to lead Nigeria.
Abdul’s comments highlight internal family tensions and dissatisfaction with Kola’s handling of their father’s legacy.
Kola Abiola, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Redemption Party, faced criticism from his brother for his management of their father’s estate and his political ambitions. Abdul noted that Kola “failed in his duty to manage Abiola’s empire,” reflecting a broader discontent with his performance.
Abdul lamented Kola’s inability to uphold MKO Abiola’s political legacy and maintain family unity. “MKO Abiola’s legacy would have been properly sustained if Kola was in a better position. And he could have been a voice of better democratic values, but he chose not to,” Abdul remarked. He further criticized Kola’s priorities during their father’s imprisonment, stating, “During the time my father was still in jail, he was busy (with other things). It’s sad, but I’m a little pleased that my father didn’t come out to see what his first son has become.”
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Abdul added, “I’m unhappy with him (Kola Abiola), and even Nigerians are unhappy. You can see how many people voted for him when he campaigned for the presidency.” He questioned Kola’s qualifications for the presidency, pointing out, “I wondered how he thought he could be president when he could not manage Abiola’s empire. How will he manage Nigeria?”
Abdul concluded with a broader critique of Nigerian leadership aspirations: “This is the problem in Nigeria: people are not showing capacity in their own little sphere of work but want a higher position.”
