Hafsat Abiola Hails Tinubu for Honouring, Ensuring Closure on Parents
In a historic move, President Bola Tinubu has posthumously conferred the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) national honour on late Mrs Kudirat Abiola, a prominent pro-democracy activist and wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.
The announcement was made on Thursday, June 12, during the President’s special address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly, as part of the 2025 Democracy Day National Honours List.
The honour is a testament to Kudirat Abiola’s tireless efforts in the fight for democratic rule in Nigeria, particularly her role in mobilizing national and international support for her husband’s release and for democratic reforms in the country.
Reacting to the news, Hafsat Abiola, daughter of the late Chief MKO Abiola, expressed her deep appreciation for the recognition, describing the award as a symbol of national remembrance and renewed commitment to service.
“There are no words to adequately express the depth of gratitude I feel at President Tinubu’s posthumous conferment of the merit of CFR on my mum, Kudirat Abiola,” she said.
Kudirat Abiola was assassinated in Lagos on June 4, 1996, for her activism, but her legacy lives on. Her daughter noted that she was guided by love and a sense of duty to defend her husband’s mandate and to work with many across the country for the restoration of democracy.
The national honour is not only a tribute to Kudirat Abiola’s sacrifices but also a recognition of the contributions of numerous individuals who played significant roles in the fight for democratic rule, especially those connected to the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
This year’s National Honours list includes several figures associated with the June 12 movement, civil rights activists, and public servants.
President Tinubu’s decision to honour these individuals is seen as a renewed national commitment to remembering the sacrifices that birthed Nigeria’s democracy.
As Hafsat Abiola said, “May the conferment of this award serve to strengthen our collective resolve to respond unstintingly to the call of national service.”
The Abiola family, including Hafsat, has extended gratitude to the President on behalf of both the Adeyemi and Abiola families, noting that her mother would have been “overwhelmed with joy to be so honoured.”
The recognition of Kudirat Abiola’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey is a significant step towards acknowledging the sacrifices of those who fought for the country’s freedom and democracy.
