Kudirat Abiola’s Imprint Remains Indelible – Groups

Kudirat Abiola's Imprint Remains Indelible - Groups
Kudirat Abiola's Imprint Remains Indelible - Groups
Human rights groups have vowed that Late Kudirat Abiola’s imprint will remain indelible on the sands of time.

Gatekeepers News reports that the groups, in a statement jointly signed by President of Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei- Odumakin and the President of Kudirat Initiative for Development KIND, Dr Hafsat Abiola–Costello, remembered Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late President-elect Late M. K. O. Abiola, 25 years after she was assassinated.

“Kudirat, a fierce 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 who ordered her death fade into obscurity,” the group said in a statement sent to Gatekeepers News.

The groups while eulogising the deceased, also remembered Leah Sharibu, the kidnapped schoolgirl held back by Boko Haram for not renouncing her Christian faith, and thousands of other captives all over Nigeria.

“Today as we fondly remember this heroine, her standard soars against base projection of power, wanton destruction, killings, kidnappings and nationwide insecurity. Human lives must be valued. Our hearts again go to Leah Sharibu and the thousands of other captives all over the country.”

Kudirat Abiola's Imprint Remains Indelible - Groups

In the spirit of remembrance, the groups demanded that: “Killings, kidnappings and other crimes must stop. Nigerians cannot be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war with the government of Nigeria.

“The safe-haven given instigators of violence within Nigeria by foreign governments must stop. We call upon Nigeria’s Diaspora to take up the challenge of engaging the governments of countries around the world to ensure that their policies align with the developmental goals of our country and the need for peace.

“Law enforcement must be given the wherewithal to fully discharge their responsibilities of maintaining law and order everywhere without bias; and officers who abuse their powers must be held to account.

“We – the people and decision-makers of Nigeria – must keep our eyes on the prize: establishing a system that delivers for all Nigerians.

“Effective governance is the only way. All efforts must be directed towards ensuring that resources get to the people; and are not hoarded by those meant to serve them or stolen by private entities who use loopholes to deprive the country of much needed developmental resources.

“In essence, we demand economic empowerment for the poor masses as the most meaningful dividend of a people’s democracy. Justice must replace injustice. Opportunity must replace desperation.”

The groups stressed that they remain committed to the defence of the rights of Nigerians to a democracy that can take on poverty, as was intended by martyrs like Kudirat Abiola and her husband, M.K.O. Abiola, and the many activists whose lives were lost in the struggle.

“In their honour, we hold the line. In surges and storms, we will not yield. In their spirit, we shall live to deliver a heritage of good governance, as it was intended by those who handed the baton to us,” the groups added.