25 years after: Women groups remember Kudirat Abiola, call for end to kidnapping, killings in Nigeria
Two Nigerian women groups, Women Arise, and Kudirat Initiative for Development (KIND) on Friday celebrated the 25th year of the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo2 Olawale Abiola, with a call for an end to the wanton destruction of lives and properties, and kidnappings presently going on across Nigeria.
Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was killed by security details of former military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha on June 4, 1996 as she struggled to revalidate the popular mandate given to her husband. She was killed around Seven-Up factory, Ikosi, Lagos on her way to Lagos to keep an appointment with the United States Ambassador, Walter Carrington.
In a joint statement signed by Dr Joe Okei Odumakin and Dr. Hafsat Abiola – Costello, President, KIND(Kudirat’s daughter), the groups described Kudirat as a “fierce fighter for justice, an epitome of commitment, a symbol of spousal love and a paragon of beauty”.
Below is a text of the statement:
25 years ago on June 4, 1996, the sheer flesh of an Amazon was killed by the bullets of cowards who only wore the uniform of bravery.
Kudirat, a fiery fighter for justice, an epitome of commitment, a symbol of spousal love and paragon of African beauty, was murdered by Nigeria’s military junta. She waxes strong in memoriam while the tyrants fade into obscurity.
Kudirat’s spirit lives on, preaching justice, fairness and freedom as she spoke and stood for these ideals while she walked the earth.
She could have been the one to run from battle, being born into comfort and married into opulence.
Rather, she ran into battle for the sake of love, principles and liberty.
Today as we fondly remember this heroine, her standard soars against base projection of power, wanton destruction, killings, kidnappings and nationwide insecurity.
We, therefore, fashion our demands in this spirit:
1. Killings, kidnappings and other crimes must stop.
2. The support granted criminals must stop.
3. Law enforcement must fully activate against criminals everywhere without bias.
4. Lawful protests must be respected and protected.
5. The 2014 confab report should count.
6. Nationwide agitation for State Police must not be ignored in perpetuity.
In addition, we demand freedom and liberty for our long-suffering oppressed people.
Importantly, we demand economic empowerment for the poor masses and an end to bad governance.
Justice must replace injustice. Human lives must be valued.
Our hearts again go to Leah Sharibu and the numerous other captives all over the country at this time.
Our fists remain clenched for martyrs like Kudirat Abiola, heroines of the struggle for a better society.
In their honor, we hold the line. In surges and storms, we would not yield.
In their spirit, we shall live and yield ONLY a heritage of the good struggle in the end, as it was yielded to us as baton bearers.
Rest on, Kudirat…while your spirit engages us further into time.
Your imprint remains indelible on the sands of time.
Signed :
Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin
President, Women Arise
Dr. Hafsat Abiola – Costello,
President, KIND.
