I spent Kudirat Abiola’s last 24 hours with her before assassination — Oloyede
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, former JAMB Registrar, revealed he spent the final 24 hours with Kudirat Abiola before her 1996 assassination. He cited this and other sensitive experiences as reasons for not writing a memoir.
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Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, a former Registrar of JAMB, shared a deeply personal account of spending the last 24 hours with Kudirat Abiola before her assassination in 1996. This revelation, made during an interview, underscores his reluctance to pen a memoir, as he believes some historical events are too sensitive and could reignite controversies or cause further pain.
Imagine a grown-up friend who saw something very sad happen a long time ago. They were with someone right before something bad happened to them. Now, people ask them to write a book about it, but they say, 'It's too sad and might make people upset again, so I'll keep some secrets to myself.'
Analysis
A Witness to History's Painful Moments
Professor Ishaq Oloyede's recent disclosure that he was with Kudirat Abiola in the 24 hours preceding her assassination in 1996 provides a poignant, albeit brief, window into a deeply traumatic period of Nigerian history. Oloyede, a respected academic and former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), shared this memory not as a historical exposé, but as a personal justification for his decision to refrain from writing a memoir. His reluctance stems from a profound understanding that some experiences, particularly those involving violence and political upheaval, carry a weight that makes their public recounting fraught with potential for renewed suffering and societal discord.
The Burden of Unspoken Truths
Oloyede's statement, "There are so many things that I know, and many people know, that it is better you do not go back to," encapsulates the ethical dilemma faced by individuals who have witnessed pivotal, often tragic, historical events. He expressed a respect for memoirists who judiciously select what to reveal, contrasting it with his own nature, which he fears would compel him to disclose "everything." This "everything," he suggests, might be detrimental, potentially "creating confusion in the society, creating more enemies for the society or causing trouble." This perspective underscores a deep-seated concern for social harmony and a cautious approach to historical narrative, prioritizing peace over the potentially explosive revelations that could accompany a full account of his experiences.
Kudirat Abiola's Legacy and the Unwritten Chapters
Kudirat Abiola's assassination on June 4, 1996, remains a watershed moment in Nigeria's fight for democracy, particularly following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. As a prominent advocate for her husband, Chief Moshood Abiola's, release and the restoration of democratic rule, her death sent shockwaves through the nation and the pro-democracy movement. Oloyede's proximity to her in her final hours places him as a unique witness to the human cost of that struggle. His decision to keep certain details private, while perhaps frustrating for historians seeking a complete picture, speaks to a profound respect for the victims and a recognition that some wounds, even decades later, may not have fully healed.
Key points
- Prof. Ishaq Oloyede spent the last 24 hours with Kudirat Abiola before her assassination in 1996.
- Oloyede cited the sensitive nature of historical events as a reason for not writing a memoir.
- He believes some experiences are too controversial and could cause further societal unrest.
- Kudirat Abiola was a key figure in the pro-democracy movement following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
- Her assassination remains a significant event in Nigeria's struggle for democracy.
Oloyede's decision to withhold certain sensitive details, while understandable, suggests a hope that by not reopening old wounds, he contributes to a more peaceful present and future for Nigeria. His approach prioritizes reconciliation and avoids potentially exacerbating existing societal divisions.
The reluctance of individuals like Oloyede to fully document sensitive historical events means that crucial details surrounding pivotal moments, such as Kudirat Abiola's assassination, may be lost to history. This can hinder a complete understanding of the past and potentially allow for the recurrence of similar injustices.
