The Supreme Price is an American-produced documentary that, in many ways, serves as a primer to modern politics in Nigeria. The film tells the complex story of the rise of democracy in the nation, mostly through the words and stories of Hafsat Abiola, the daughter of democratic politician, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, or M.K.O. Abiola, as he is commonly referred.
M.K.O. Abiola ran for the presidency in Nigeria in 1993, on a pro-democratic platform, that emphasized his hope for building a strong nation by eradicating poverty and encouraging gender equality. Though the results of the election were never officially confirmed, Abiola is generally regarded as the winner, with many even stating that he had won by a landslide. The election results were annulled by then president General Ibrahim Babangida, and M.K.O. Abiola died under mysterious circumstances in 1998. That same year, Babangida was temporarily succeeded by Ernest Shonekan, to whom he handed over the presidency, in hopes of building a democracy. Shonekan was overthrown after just two months in office in a military coup by General Sani Abacha.
The Supreme Price doesn’t solely look the politicians and leaders who helped shaped modern politics in Nigeria, but also how U.S. involvement played a part. The film also centers on the rise of women-led activists movements in the nation. Kudirat Abiola, the wife of M.K.O. Abiola, was an outspoken activist who questioned the leadership in the country and how foreign involvement enabled corrupt leaders due to oil interests in Nigeria. In addition to speaking out against human rights abuses in the country, and organizing with the oil workers union, she committed her activism, and sadly her life, to confirming the election of her husband. Kudirat Abiola was assassinated while being driven in a car, in Lagos, Nigeria in 1996.
The activism and philanthropy of Hafsat Abiola is also a focus in The Supreme Price. Abiola has tirelessly worked and lobbied for women’s rights in Nigeria.
The Supreme Price is currently screening worldwide, for more information visit the film’s website.
The Supreme Price – Extended Trailer from Joanna Lipper on Vimeo.
