MKO Abiola's Daughter Dumps APC, Says APC Dictatorial, Anti-Youth | CNR

Rinsola Abiola

Weeks after the late Moshood Abiola was honoured by President Muhammadu Buhari, one of his daughters, Rinsola Abiola has left the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The daughter of the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential elections is the Special Assistant on New Media to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

Ms Abiola in a series of tweets on Friday, said she had duly written to relinquish her membership to her ward chairman. She also presented allegations that APC is “dictatorial and not youth-friendly”.

“Last year, while we – youth advocates and those of us in political parties who fall within the youth demography – were advocating for passage of the Not Too Young To Run Bill, I approached a handful of our leaders and expressed my intention to run for office if the Bill scales through.

“Thankfully, this year, Not Too Young To Run became law and young people (from 25) can now seek to occupy elective positions.”

Ms Abiola said apart from the usual issues like funding and violence, undemocratic dictates which are now viewed as the norm also pose a serious challenge (in the APC).

She claimed she had been told in no unclear terms that “I must not run”, that “I should not even consider it” and that there are “consequences for disobedience”. She however did not name those who made these ‘threats’.

“The decision of who gets to represent us is one that should be made by the people and it is not up to any individual, no matter how highly placed, to tell me that I must not even try,” she said.