POLITICS

Yahaya Bello exemplifies MKO Abiola’s traits – daughter

Hafsat Abiola-Costello, the daughter of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, has said Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello exemplifies her father’s character.

Hafsat is the director-general for the presidential campaign of Bello.

Hafsat, who is also an activist, said she accepted to lead Bello’s campaign because he didn’t succumb to the politics of godfatherism, like her father.

According to her, this has led to Bello being persecuted.

“Nigerians must be given the free hand to choose their leaders. That is the meaning of democracy. My father did not contest to represent zoning interest. His interest was Nigeria and Nigeria alone,” she said.

She added that another similarity was that the late MKO believed in a United Nigeria, just like Bello, noting that he also treated everyone around him with respect regardless of their social standing.

“These are the same qualities I have seen in Governor Bello. He dared to contest, not minding that he was from a minority tribe in Kogi and won, and he has come out again.

“My father did the same, when it was believed that a Yoruba man could not be President.

“Yahaya Bello is the best man for the job. And you know me, I’m not driven by pecuniary considerations. I do what I believe in.

“In the next seven weeks, we would be working hard, and when we emerge, we will deliver a Nigeria of our dreams,” Hafsat said.

She said her father would have been happy to see that a young, courageous man like the Governor had done everything to bring back his Hope ’93 in Hope ’23, with the same person that did the manifesto on board – Senator Jonathan Zwingina.

MKO Abiola, a philanthropist, businessman, and politician contested and won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The military junta, led by General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election just when the results were being announced.

The succeeding Head of State, General Sani Abacha arrested and detained Abiola, after he declared himself an elected president. Abiola died in detention on June 8, 1998, shortly after Abacha’s mysterious death in power.

Like her husband, Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, was hounded and murdered in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

Her death was allegedly orchestrated by the Abacha regime. Kudirat, who until her gruesome murder, vigorously pushed for the revalidation of her husband’s electoral victory, was martyred.

One of her children for the late businessman is Hafsat.

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