MKO Abiola’s Daughter: June 12 Meant To Address Poverty But Nigerians Getting Poorer

Hafsat Abiola-Costello, one of the daughters of Nigeria’s symbol of democracy, MKO Abiola, has regretted that 22 years after her father’s death, Nigerians were still languishing in poverty.

According to Abiola-Costello, her father died in his struggle to put an end to poverty in the country.

“I feel deeply honored. My family feels deeply honored. I’ve been receiving emails and messages saying Happy Democracy. At the same time, I’m concerned about the direction of the country,” she said at the Lagos State Democracy Day Youth Webinar on Friday.

“June 12 was meant to address poverty in Nigeria. But we still have more poverty in Nigeria and even more people in poverty in Nigeria. This is what my father campaigned to fight against and it is still there after his death, I am concerned.

“My father was a pan-Africanist engaging in national issues. We need to return to that. So that we can have inclusive growth.

“Nigeria exists within a larger continental and global economic contest. We need to challenge the ideas that have been invalidated globally.

“My message to the Nigerian young people is not to lose faith. The whole continent is looking to Nigeria for leadership. We have that self-confidence and need to exercise that leadership responsibly,” said Abiola-Costello.

Abiola died under controversial circumstances in 1998. He died five years after his adjudged victory in the February 1993 presidential election.

The late politician was awarded the title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which is Nigeria’s highest national honor, in 2018, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari had also declared a change in the date of the country’s Democracy Day celebration from May 29 to June 12.