NADECO Extol Late Kudirat Abiola

At 18th Death Anniversary, CD, NADECO Extol Late Kudirat Abiola’s Virtues

The sacrifices of Kudirat Abiola, the assassinated wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M. K. O. Abiola, were recalled on Wednesday at a wreath laying ceremony, to commemorate 18 years of her death.
Speaking at Kudirat’s graveside were the President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe Odumakin and Chairman, of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Admiral Ndubusi Kanu.
Odumakin expressed unhappiness that despite Kudirat and her husband giving up their lives for democracy, Nigeria is still battling death, and terror challenges.
“Nigerians should unite in order to make the country a better place to live in,” Odumakin said, describing Kudirat as “a pro-democracy heroine,” who displayed uncommon courage during trying times.
“It is disheartening that Nigeria is yet to rid itself of terror, brutal murders, and kidnaps. We must remain vigilant and rise in unison to say enough is enough”.
Kanu, speaking in a similar tone, lamented that Nigeria should not be confronted by some of its current challenges, judging by the sacrifices of people like Kudirat.
He urged Nigerians to live as one, so that its human and material resources can be harnessed through a structure that will benefit all the federating units.
“All of us in government, and out of government, must go back to the road we have abandoned,” he said.
“The strength of Nigeria is in the diversity of its people, and ignoring this will be detrimental to the unity of the nation. It is not geography but the spirit that makes a country. We must all ensure that Nigeria is not drowned by the myriad of problems bedevilling it as a nation.”
Kudirat's daughter, Hasfat Abiola-Costello, praised her mother’s courage, and implored Nigerians to respond to current challenges of insurgency, corruption, and poverty with similar courage.
She urged the government to match its words with action, because people have been waiting for promises to be delivered for too long. She also urged the people to stand-up for the country, fight for it, and do all they can to make it better.
She subsequently took to social media to mourn her mother, writing: “Today is the 18th anniversary of my mother, Kudirat Abiola's death.
“Albert Schweitzer said 'each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.' For me, that would be my mum and dad. Thank you, mum. Your angelic spirit will never die”.
Since Kudirat’s murder on June 4, 1996 by agents believed to be loyal to the military administration of general Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria has failed to identify her killers — notwithstanding a long-drawn-out legal trial that ended with a discharged-and-acquitted pronouncement on the prime suspects.