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Women Arise Group Eulogises M.K.O. Abiola’s Wife, Kudirat 27 Years After Assassination By Sani Abacha Regime

FILE
June 4, 2023

Kudirat, a pro-democracy campaigner, was assassinated on June 4, 1996, while her husband was being detained by the Nigerian Government.

Women Arise for Change Initiative on Sunday observed the remembrance of Kudirat Abiola, the late wife of late M. K. O. Abiola, 27 years after her death.

 

Kudirat, a pro-democracy campaigner, was assassinated on June 4, 1996, while her husband was being detained by the Nigerian Government.

Her husband was believed to have won the 1993 presidential election which was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida junta.

Her husband, Abiola was arrested shortly after the annulment of the election. In October 1998, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (now retired) appeared in court with Mohammed, son of former military dictator, Sani Abacha.

At the trial, the self-confessed killer, Sergeant Barnabas Jabila, popularly known as Sergeant Rogers, said he was obeying orders from his superior, Hamza Al-Mustapha when he shot and killed Kudirat.

She died in her car from a machine gun fire, during which her driver also died, but her personal assistant, who was later accused of being involved with her assassins, was in the car but was not hurt.

On Sunday, Women Arise eulogised Kudirat, describing her as a brightly glowing green.

 

The President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, wrote, “Twenty-seven years ago this 4th June, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola rose to immortality. She was felled by the bullets of assassins in the uniform of State.

 

“The maximum monster reigned supreme. His shadow cast on any who walked right in the land. Alhaja Kudirat Abiola walked right. She would not run. She would not flinch. She was killed for asking for justice.

 

“She was killed fighting for democracy in Nigeria. She was killed defining womanhood, dignity and humanity.

 

“We must not forget that some swam in sweat. Some bled and some died. Kudirat died among others who have taken seats in Valhalla. This is why it pains that we are not very far away from the moment she paid the price.

 

“Yes, far in physical distance perhaps. Far in the passage of time but not so far into the progress of democracy. Yet, her total dedication is retained in our memory as fresh as the day. Evergreen.

 

“As lucid as the vision of all the glorious compatriots whom we were favoured to rub shoulders with in the face of fire. Those who have gone ahead as the pantheon builds. The finest across generations of a beleaguered country.

 

“Among such is Kudirat situated. In the strong spirit of duty and commitment to justice. Every year on the 4th of June, we shall cause a special mention to be made of a rare Amazon. One we valued so greatly. One that we miss so much.”