Buhari’s victory like MKO’s –Abiola’s daughter

Hafsat Abiola-Costello

Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, one of the daughters of the late MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, has described the victory of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, as similar to that of her late father.

Abiola-Costello, who is the founder of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, said Buhari’s campaign of change had renewed the hope of Nigerians. She, therefore, urged the President-elect not to disappoint Nigerians.

Abiola-Costello said this when the senator-elect, Kaduna-Central senatorial district Alhaji Shehu Sani, paid a visit to the Abiola family in Lagos, on Thursday.

She said, “I wrote a letter before the elections expressing my support for Gen. Buhari and for us in this house, we are happy to see that he emerged victorious in spite of the many efforts to deny him of victory but we must be aware that one man cannot change Nigeria. Such a person needs a strong team.

“We need people who are ready to sacrifice for Nigeria. That was the first time I ever endorsed a candidate and it was because the way Nigeria was going, I felt this was our last chance to get things right. I didn’t see a better way to save Nigeria. Before we start celebrating, we need to know those who will constitute his team

“This is similar to what we saw in 1993 when people looked beyond ethnicity and religion and chose MKO Abiola. You can see that Nigerians are trying to tell the world that they deserve better.”

Abiola-Costello commended Sani for visiting the family. She said it was good that Sani, who is also a human rights activist, had been given the opportunity to make change.

She said, “You stayed close to my father and listened. You have always been true to the struggle, defending the oppressed and our right to democracy. I hope when you go to the Senate and speak, your colleagues will hear. I want you to know that this family will always support you.”

In his remarks, Sani said it was important for the incoming administration to give MKO the deserved recognition and should erect a monument in his honour.

He said the political consciousness of Nigerians was evoked by the events of June 12.