In spite of the scant attention paid to the
contribution of women in Nigerian history, Nigerian women from time immemorial, have played a significant role in the evolution of their societies and the modern Nigerian state. Apart from their reproductive function in ensuring the continuity of the human race in Nigeria, and their contribution to its social and economic development, some individual women also
exercised leadership within their different communities. And their roles have been crucial in raising important questions about the survival of their society. It is significant to note that at
such moments in history, their leadership was readily acknowledged without any misgivings about their gender.
Alhaja Kudirat Abiola became an activist when the government of Nigeria shattered her life. Her husband, Chief Moshood Abiola, is widely believed
to have won the annulled June 1993 presidential election and has been detained on a treason charge since June. 1994. From the time of his
arrest, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola courageously called for her husband's release despite constant and
vindictive harassment of her family and
supporters by the government.
When the Nigerian government allows their forces to abduct, kill or imprison political opponents, it hopes that these acts of violence and its victims will be quickly forgotten. But Nigerian authorities have not reckoned on the determination and courage of the victim's relatives-often the wives,
sister or mothers whose lives have been
completely disrupted by Nigeria's arbitrary use of its powers. These women frequently transform their lives overnight to become crusaders for
justice. They will not let the authorities get away with their crimes unchallenged.
contribution of women in Nigerian history, Nigerian women from time immemorial, have played a significant role in the evolution of their societies and the modern Nigerian state. Apart from their reproductive function in ensuring the continuity of the human race in Nigeria, and their contribution to its social and economic development, some individual women also
exercised leadership within their different communities. And their roles have been crucial in raising important questions about the survival of their society. It is significant to note that at
such moments in history, their leadership was readily acknowledged without any misgivings about their gender.
Alhaja Kudirat Abiola became an activist when the government of Nigeria shattered her life. Her husband, Chief Moshood Abiola, is widely believed
to have won the annulled June 1993 presidential election and has been detained on a treason charge since June. 1994. From the time of his
arrest, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola courageously called for her husband's release despite constant and
vindictive harassment of her family and
supporters by the government.
When the Nigerian government allows their forces to abduct, kill or imprison political opponents, it hopes that these acts of violence and its victims will be quickly forgotten. But Nigerian authorities have not reckoned on the determination and courage of the victim's relatives-often the wives,
sister or mothers whose lives have been
completely disrupted by Nigeria's arbitrary use of its powers. These women frequently transform their lives overnight to become crusaders for
justice. They will not let the authorities get away with their crimes unchallenged.
On June 4, 1996, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, a
persistent and courageous critic, was violently silenced. She and her driver were shot at point- blank range by unknown assailants near her home in Lagos. Kudirat Abiola died later in the hospital. The driver was wounded. The military head of state, General Sani Abacha, expressed his condolences to the family, describing the killing as the work of armed bandits. He later arrested senior members of the National Democratic Coalition and accused them of her murder (Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Abraham Adesanya). However, other reports suggest that this was a political killing carried out by government agents. On October 14, 1996 the three NADECO officials were released.
The Nigerian government has failed .to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, which Amnesty International believes may have been carried out by government agents. The police inquiry which has been set up does not meet international standards for the investigation of possible extrajudicial executions.
persistent and courageous critic, was violently silenced. She and her driver were shot at point- blank range by unknown assailants near her home in Lagos. Kudirat Abiola died later in the hospital. The driver was wounded. The military head of state, General Sani Abacha, expressed his condolences to the family, describing the killing as the work of armed bandits. He later arrested senior members of the National Democratic Coalition and accused them of her murder (Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Abraham Adesanya). However, other reports suggest that this was a political killing carried out by government agents. On October 14, 1996 the three NADECO officials were released.
The Nigerian government has failed .to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, which Amnesty International believes may have been carried out by government agents. The police inquiry which has been set up does not meet international standards for the investigation of possible extrajudicial executions.
