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<title>CANADA REGRETS DEATH OF CHIEF ABIOLA</title>
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<p><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">July 7, 1998 No. 167</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA REGRETS DEATH OF CHIEF ABIOLA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
David Kilgour expressed their regret upon hearing of the death in detention of
Chief Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election.
They also offered Canada's condolences to Chief Abiola's family and to the
nation.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"It is with sorrow that I have learned of the passing of Chief Abiola," said
Minister Axworthy. "His death has deprived the Nigerian people of an individual
who could have made a major contribution to national reconciliation and
democracy. The Nigerian government must now move decisively and unequivocally to
ensure a freely contested and fair election for a new President."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy also called upon the Nigerian government to release immediately all
remaining political prisoners.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"With the passing of Chief Abiola, we can only encourage the Nigerian people to
continue their efforts to realize his vision for a free and democratic Nigeria
now," said Secretary of State Kilgour.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">After the 1993 elections were annulled, Abiola declared that he was the rightful
president of Nigeria. The regime accused him of treason and jailed him in 1994.
The democratic movement in Nigeria and the international community, including
Canada, denounced his imprisonment and consistently called for his unconditional
release. His family has always claimed that the years in detention threatened his
already precarious health.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Sara Mohsin</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-9404</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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