The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Afenifere and other pro-democracy crusaders yesterday urged Nigerians to halt leadership failure in the country.
They criticised the use of the flawed 1999 Constitution, urging ethnic nationalities to intensify their pursuit of self-determination as enshrined in the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and 1998 African Charter of Peoples Rights.
NADECO Secretary Ayo Opadokun said the organisation would intensify its political and legal campaigns against the lopsided Federal structure that has continued to confer undue advantage on a section of the country to the detriment of other component units.
Afenifere Leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo said the defective structure does not engender trust and peaceful coexistence, urging stakeholders to intensify the battle for restructuring and true federalism.
Eminent scholar, Prof. Adebayo Williams, said NADECO and Afenifere have unfinished battles, stressing that the nation was being retarded by the ravaging virus (COVID-19) and leadership failure.
Lamenting that those who fought for democracy had been sidelined, Prof. Williams suggested what he called a festival of leadership renewal.
The NADECO and Afenifere chieftains spoke at “A Day of Tributes” for former military governor of Lagos State, Admiral Ndubusi Kanu, who, until his demise, was the NADECO Leader.
The event, which held at the Austral Hall of Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, was attended by Lagos State Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Dr. Amos Akingba; Third Republic Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Olawale Oshun; daughter of former Ondo State Governor Adekunle Ajasin, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose; Niyi Owoade and Tunde Onakoya.
Also at the event were: Dr. Fred Agbeyegbe, Jumoke Ogunkoyede, Jide Ajilo, Linus Okoroji, Dayo Ogunlana, Akin Omojola, Popoola Ajayi and Dotun Atilade.
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Paying tributes to Kanu, Chief Opadokun said the departed played a role in the actualisation of the symbolic handshake across the Niger under the auspices of the Council for Unity and Understanding (CUU), upon which NADECO was built.
The NADECO secretary recalled that the late Kanu was hounded, humiliated and dehumanised by the Sani Abacha military regime, adding that his homes in Lagos and Ovim, Abia State, were searched by soldiers who found nothing incriminating on him.
Besides, the secretary regretted that the deceased NADECO chieftain was detained for hours by security agents in Lagos before he was bailed by his widow, Gladys.
Opadokun added: “In spite of all the oppressive measures taken against you, you remained unperturbed and unbowed until this your sudden and difficult-to-manage departure.”
As a mark of honour, he said NADECO would continue to support legitimate and legal agitations and campaign for self-determination by ethnic nationalities, civil societies and credible opinion moulders.
Prof. Williams said Kanu led a good and exemplary life, adding that his memory would linger.
He regretted that those who struggled for democracy had been sidelined and relegated.
Peeping into the future, Prof. Williams said NADECO should be rejuvenated because the battle for democracy was not over.
He said: “There is still a great struggle ahead. We have seen the end of military rule but we have not seen the end of military people. Now, we have two pandemics confronting us as a nation. The first one is the virus; the second is failed leadership.
“I got close to Kanu in 1975. He is a profound man. He has no time for frivolities. He was a great democrat. We are very proud of him. He led an honourable and distinguished life.”
Prof. Williams added: “He was an outstanding naval officer. His celebration should be a rejuvenation of NADECO. Our ranks are peeling. We are waiting for a festival of renewal so that whatever happens, we can take our country back.”