|
U.S. Ambassador "Convinced" Nigerian Regime Murdered
Opponent New York -- Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Walter Carrington told the New York City Council today that he was "convinced" that the Nigerian military dictatorship was responsible for the murder of democracy leader Kudirat Abiola in June 1996. Carrington's charge came in testimony before a City Council committee in support of a motion to name the street corner in front of the Nigerian Consulate in honor of the slain democracy leader. The unanimous committee vote in favor of the renaming is a major political defeat for the Nigerian military government, which mounted an intense effort to block the name change. Final action on the motion is expected on Wednesday before the full Council, where approval is a near certainty. The idea of naming the corner after Mrs. Abiola was suggested by The Africa Fund and a New York City-based Nigerian democracy group, the United Committee To Save Nigeria. Mrs. Abiola, the wife of imprisoned President-elect Moshood Abiola, was in route to the Canadian Embassy to press for stronger international sanctions when she was gunned down in what the United States Government termed an "apparent assassination." "Kudirat was the opposition leader the Abacha regime most feared," the Ambassador said. "She was indefatigable in her efforts to unite all those who fought for a return to democracy in Africa's largest and potentially richest country. And for that I am convinced she was assassinated by agents of the military government." Ambassador Carrington, who represented the United States in Nigeria from 1993 until earlier this month, described to the Council a September 18th raid by heavily armed Nigerian security forces on a farewell party in his honor hosted by Nigerian human rights groups. Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, internationally respected for his leadership role in the anti-apartheid movement, made a second appearance before the Council to speak in favor of Kudirat Abiola Corner. Mayor Dinkins told the Council that they should do no less for the people of Nigeria than they did for South Africa in supporting the cause of freedom. "The cause of freedom knows no national boundaries and the people of the city of New York know that we can make a critical difference. We know because of our contribution to the peaceful liberation of South Africa. Censure and economic sanctions did in fact work." "The Council Committee vote today in favor of Kudirat Abiola Corner is a victory for the Nigerian people," said Africa Fund Executive Director Jennifer Davis. "It demonstrates that their struggle for democracy is supported by the people of America. Citizen action is important because the United States buys billions of dollars worth of oil from Nigeria every year. This gives the United States powerful economic leverage over the dictatorship." Reverend Richard Wills of Harlem's historic Canaan Baptist Church,representing civil rights leader and American Committee On Africa President Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker, spoke about the great concern of America's Christian churches, and particularly the African American churches, about the suffering of Nigeria's 110 million people under the dictatorship. Nigerian democracy activist Edward Opaoroji also spoke in favor of the street change, arguing that Kudirat Abiola represented the aspirations of all Nigerians. Chief Anthony Enahoro, one of the last great living leaders of the Nigerian independence movement and head of the National Democratic Coalition of Nigeria delivered a moving appeal for Kudirat Abiola Corner. Naming Kudirat a heroine who gave her life for something bigger than herself, he added: "If it is true that to die completely a person must not only forget but be forgotten, then Kudirat will never die completely, because she will never be forgotten." "Mr. Chairman and Council Members, yours is the historic opportunity to accord enduring recognition to an inspiring heroine, a victim of an awesome tragedy, a young African woman who dared to confront a brutal military regime and demand democracy and human rights for the Nigerian people -- Kudirat Abiola." For more information contact The Africa Fund, 17 John Street, New York, NY 10038 USA. Tel: (212) 962-1210 Fax: (212) 964-8570 E-mail: africafund@igc.apc.org |
