ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Leader of the Zenith Labour Party, Dan Nwanyanwu, said the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s decision to run for Nigeria’s presidency was partly inspired by an emotional encounter with a Nigerian surgeon in a London hospital, he said during a television interview, Feb. 25, 2026.

Nwanyanwu said Abiola shared the story in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and vowed to establish world-class hospitals across Nigeria and encourage Nigerian doctors abroad to return home, citing frustration over alleged mismanagement of public funds.

Lagos Approves 13% BRT Fare Increase, Commuters To Pay More

Speaking on Arise News’ “Prime Time” program, Nwanyanwu recounted that Abiola underwent surgery in London and was surprised when the chief surgeon, who greeted him in Yoruba, turned out to be Nigerian.

According to Nwanyanwu, Abiola told him the encounter moved him to tears and strengthened his resolve to improve Nigeria’s health care system.

“Abiola called me one day and said, ‘Do you know why I want to be president?’” Nwanyanwu said. “He told me that when he went for surgery in London, six doctors were in the room, all white, and they were waiting for the chief surgeon. When the surgeon came in, he greeted him in Yoruba. He was a Nigerian.”

Nwanyanwu said Abiola questioned why Nigeria could not replicate the quality of medical facilities abroad.

“He said, ‘Are you telling me we cannot put these hospitals in every state in Nigeria? We are selling oil, but we are not seeing the money,’” Nwanyanwu added.

He also alleged that funds intended for building standard hospitals across the country had been diverted at the federal level.

Nwanyanwu said Tinubu was aware of the account because he was frequently present at Abiola’s residence during that period.

Abiola, widely regarded as the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, remains a significant figure in Nigeria’s democratic history.