LET MY FATHER GO

On the anniversary of his imprisonment, Zulikat Wuraola Abiola, the daughter of Nigeria's

elected president, calls for her father's release

ON 12 JUNE 1993, my father, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, was elected president in Nigeria's national elections. He carried 20 of Nigeria's 31 states (including the federal capital) and was supported by 58 per cent of the 15 million who voted. His support came from all regions, all religions and across many nationalities within Nigeria. Ninety-five per cent of the votes cast in military cantonments across the country were for my father.

The conduct of the presidential elections was monitored by numerous western dele- gations, who unanimously and publicly pronounced them to be the fairest in Nige- ria's history. Why then has my father spent the last year in prison virtually incommuni- cado?

For 25 of the 35 years since indepen- dence, Nigeria has been ruled by a succes- sion of increasingly corrupt military regimes. Most of these administrations were concerned solely with their self- enrichment, primarily from the vast and consistently unaudited oil revenues. The country's rulers maintain their power through violence, repression and the sup- pression of democratic institutions, includ- ing independent media and trade unions. Fundamental human rights are systemati- cally violated in this climate of rule by force and tyranny.

Chief Abiola promised the Nigerian people a more transparent, accountable and conciliatory government, and the Nigerian masses united behind him in this vision. It is no wonder that the military establishment and its civilian collaborators reacted with fear to my father's promises to widen the wealth base, to combat drug- trafficking and to exercise sound steward- ship and full accountability in the allocation of Nigeria's petroleum resources. The rank and file of the popula- tion voted to clean up our society and economy at home and to restore our repu- tation abroad. The establishment, on the other hand, elected self-preservation, rather than change. It decided to stifle Nigeria's latest and best chance for true unity, economic prosperity and national dignity.

In Nigeria, the intervening years between independence in 1960 and 1993 witnessed successive crises as Nigerians debated, fought and died in the attempt to arrive at democratic government of the people, for the people and by the people. The culmination of all our efforts was the election nearly two years ago when Nige- ria arrived at democratic maturity. We were determined to succeed. We showed commendable discipline as we expressed our political will only through the ballot box. We are equally determined that the result of our political expression is heard and respected.

By electing my father, the Nigerian peo- ple were calling for new moral leadership. Ordinary, honest Nigerians want to rebuild our country out of the current chaos brought on by political repression, drug-trafficking and environmental degra- dation. We are tired of the negative repu- tation that now tarnishes the once proud image of Nigeria. In his presidential debate on 6 June 1993, Chief Abiola explicitly pledged to combat corruption in the administration, gross economic mis- management and drug- trafficking. These are promises that Nigerians had been yearning to hear and were eager to accept.

Two years ago, Nigeria pledged itself to become the largest democracy in Africa. This is the vision that my father represent- 'Let him get out of the store before you challenge him.' ed during the election and that he shares with the many opposition leaders currently being persecuted by the Nigerian military. That is also why he is incarcerated today.

I last saw my father in August 1994, in prison. He instructed me to ask his friends and political allies in the West African region to mediate for a peaceful resolution to the impasse in Nigeria. I found that while the West African leaders were sym- pathetic to my father's position, they were unwilling to apply strong diplomatic pres- sure on the Nigerian regime because, as a consequence, they feared a political and economic backlash against their own coun- tries. They have, however, been able to reg- ister their discontent with General Abacha's regime by seldom attending those West African regional summit meetings held in Nigeria.

Not surprisingly, the leaders of these West African countries are reluctant to do more, especially when western powers seem content to continue to fraternise with the present Nigerian military regime and to apply the minimum lever of sanctions pos- sible so as not to damage the West's oil producing interests there.

Since then, and because of my activities, I have been unable to return to Nigeria. I have, instead, concentrated on encouraging the support of both MPs and peers for the cause of democracy and human rights in Nigeria. But numerous requests by MPs on both sides of the House for stronger diplo- matic action by the British Government against the Nigerian military have consis- tently been met with a disappointing lack of activity and ministerial support.

I believe that it is now time for the inter- national community to denounce publicly, and in the strongest terms yet, the unac- ceptability of the conduct of the present Nigerian government. This should be accompanied by tougher sanctions than any yet implemented by all the major powers acting in concert.

For Nigeria as a whole these sanctions should include: the immediate and total cessation of the supply of military hard- ware, regardless of when ordered or whether already paid for; any further finan- cial support to Nigeria, or agreements to continue present support, should be condi- tional upon the ending of all human rights abuses, particularly the release of political prisoners.

And for all members of the present mili- tary regime, without exception, the sanc- tions should also include: the cancellation of visas; the withdrawal of invitations to all international meetings or symposiums; and the freezing of all overseas assets.

The date 12 June 1993 has now taken on a larger significance than just the election of one man. As an important anniversary, it now represents the day when the largest African nation peacefully stood up to her powerful military dictators and demanded entry to the international club of civilised democracies.