The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NADECO

  • NADECO’s tribe lost a gem

    NADECO’s tribe lost a gem

     Sir: The National Democratic Coalition, (NADECO) mourns the passing on to glory of Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo at the early hour of Friday, February 14, aged 96. Chief Adebanjo as at the time of his exit from this terrestrial divide was the oldest of the Action Group party apparatchik, i.e. one of the first provincial organizing secretaries of the Action Group led by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

     Chief Adebanjo was known for being a man of conviction throughout his life. He was a distinguished apostle of Awoism, the egalitarian philosophy of life more abundant and welfarism which were embodied in the Action Group, Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN and the Alliance for Democracy which he chaired after the unfortunate departure of Ambassador Jolly Tanko Yusuf who decamped to the PDP.

     Chief Adebanjo was a man of discipline, courage and industry as he was in the habit of committing himself to anything he had voluntarily associated himself with.

    For example, Chief Adebanjo was never missing in the thick of Afenifere and NADECO’s many brushes with coercive state agents who severally molested, dehumanized, hounded, and harassed us as a formidable opposition to the perennial tyrannical usurpers of political governance of Nigeria.

     In the First Republic, he was one of the first organizing secretaries along with Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu and others under the managership of Chief S.T. Oredehin, championing the uniqueness of Nigeria adopting federalism as its mode of government. This was because of the recognition by the Action Group that Nigeria being a heterogeneous country with peoples of various languages, religions, traditions, customs, artefacts, folklores, mores, morals should have a mode of government that allows for free reigns of all the country’s diversities but united as federation of regions.

    Read Also: Transcorp Power targets 25% ofNigeria’s electricity generation

    Adebanjo was an accomplished kingmaker of a sort as many people were groomed under his influence. He was one of the founders of NADECO and he was a dedicated patriot whose passion for justice, equity, and fair play to all nationalities in this space called Nigeria will remain indelible. He was one of the leaders who were present on each day in any of the state assembly that AD won, tabled and passed Afenifere’s resolution for a restructured Nigeria.

    NADECO could say without any ambiguity that Chief Adebanjo has run the race, and he has finished his course, exceptionally well. When shall we find again the kind of dedicated patriots who money or lure of office cannot buy particularly in this challenging times?

    May his amiable soul rest in peace and may God grant us all, immediate family and the political colleagues the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.

    •Ayo Opadokun Esq.Lagos.

  • NADECO-USA calls for peace in Rivers

    NADECO-USA calls for peace in Rivers

    The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in United States has called for the peaceful resolution of the Rivers State political crisis.

    The group advocated cessation of hostilities between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The group in a statement by its leader, Lloyd Ukwu, said development, progress and prosperity cannot be attained in an atmosphere of discord and hullabaloo.

    NADECO-USA cautioned against thuggery and gangsterism, warning that violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints InfraCorp to develop Nigeria’s Green Industrial Zone, Evergreen City

    It said the escalation of the crisis should be averted to avoid plunging Rivers state and the entire Niger Delta into political, economic, and social destruction.

    According to the organisation, Fubara should be supported to implement his campaign promises, insisting that only a conducive atmosphere can engender effective implementation of people oriented policies and programmes.

    It, therefore, urged men of goodwill to wade into the crisis and ensure amicable resolution of the predecessor-successor rift.

    The group urged total commitment to democratic values and promotion of good governance in Rivers state.

  • NADECO chief gets honour in New York

    NADECO chief gets honour in New York

    Pro-DEMOCRACY  activist, Kudirat Abiola Corner Group in New York, will hold a workshop to brainstorm on  democracy and the way forward.

    The event: Assessment  of the role of NADECO abroad in the struggle for democracy, is organised to celebrate the 75th birthday of Jumoke Ogunkeyede, an activist in in the struggle against dictator, General Sani Abacha

    Read Also: NADECO to Tinubu: restructure Nigeria

    In a statement, spokesman, Owolabi Salis, said the event holds on Friday in Atlantic Avenue, Brookland to honour Ogunkeyede for facilitating renaming the street beside Nigerian House in New York as Kudirat Abiola Corner, by City Council.

    “This is pay back for Ogunkeyede, who has carved his name in gold in the Hall of Fame”, Salis chief host,  said.

  • NADECO to Tinubu: restructure Nigeria

    NADECO to Tinubu: restructure Nigeria

    • Pro-democracy group congratulates president 

    The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to restructure the country to foster true federalism.

    The group, of which the president is a member, congratulated him over his victory at the Supreme Court. 

    A statement by the Secretary, Ayo Opadokun, said ‘the Nigerian State should organise the necessary and desirable return to Federal Constitutional Governance upon which Nigeria secured her independence.”

    The statement reads: “NADECO restates that NOW is the time to deliver the much expected services in the socio-economic and political sphere, through well thought-out and rightly directed policies desirable to quickly alleviate the unacceptable level of suffering, poverty, economic misery and neglect, to which Nigerians have been subjected by past rulers and leaders, for many years now.

    “NADECO again restates that while we strongly desire an immediate upliftment in the standard and quality of living, we expect more than the necessary bread and butter economic gains. NADECO believes that the President Bola Tinubu government must equally prioritise the process of implementing the APC manifesto particularly in Article 7, pages 3, 7, 29, 37.

    “NADECO also restates that, the so called ‘NADECO USA’ is a fraud, and a deception being promoted by elements that were not in any of our structure while NADECO operated globally. We have denounced this farcical group, reminding them that NADECO, at its November 1999 properly convened meeting in Virginia, USA, presided over by its National Leader, Chief Anthony Enahoro, the organisation announced that it was winding down its overseas operations. There had been no reversal of that decision.

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila chides critics, says president’s team not driven by money politics

    “NADECO recognises the fundamental rights of Nigerians to hold personal opinion and to express them in persons or in groups. What is deeply objectionable is for elements, who were not part of NADECO while it was losing its sweat, its blood, liberty, possession, and even martyred, to suddenly start appropriating the good name and reputation earned through a lot of pain and sacrifice by NADECO for their transient pursuit of partisan objectives.

    “President Bola Tinubu as a critical stakeholder in the highest structure of NADECO, who expended his resources and network together with others while we were in the trenches should prove beyond reasonable doubts that he remains faithful and committed towards restoring Nigeria to the NEGOTIATED FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. No one needs to remind Mr. President that the current warped, skewed, and lopsided national structure must be reconfigured in order to give hope and sense of belonging to all Nigerians that they are equal joint stakeholder in the Nigerian Project.

    “NADECO wishes President Bola Tinubu divine guidance, robust health, necessary tact and discipline to deliver exemplary services to Nigerians during his tour of duty.”

  • Fake NADECO plots anti-Tinubu campaign

    Fake NADECO plots anti-Tinubu campaign

     There is a plot by a fake National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the United States (U.S.) to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday.

    “This impostor NADECO is organising a World Press Conference aimed at propagating unfounded claims regarding the educational credentials of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, the Chairman of the U.S. chapter of the party, Prof. Tai Balofin, said.

    According to him, APC USA members have planned a  public campaign in Chicago today to address a world press conference to inform and guide the public and international community about true situation in Nigeria and the progressive leadership of President B Tinubu.

    The university don said in a statement that APC-USA has a responsibility “to shed light on this matter and emphasize the importance of substantiated facts over premature and unsubstantiated allegations.”

    Balofin stressed the need “to distinguish between genuine and constructive inquiry and baseless accusations.”

    He said: “The allegation surrounding President Tinubu’s educational certificate from Chicago State University (CSU) has been addressed, with CSU confirming the authenticity of the certificate.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s signs new deal with US based FuelCell Energy

    “It is crucial to note that this matter is already in the hands of the appropriate authorities, specifically the courts, where due process and legal procedures will be followed.”

    Balofin described President Tinubu as a prominent figure and statesman, who has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s political landscape, adding that “his dedication and service to the nation have been evident for years.”

    He said: “It is unbecoming and counterproductive to attempt to tarnish his reputation for political gain and cheap blackmail.

    “Furthermore, we would like to clarify that the group organising this World Press Conference under the banner of NADECO USA is not the original NADECO that President Tinubu was a part of during the Abacha era.

    “We urge the public not to be misled by these attempts to distort history. The leadership of APC USA stands firmly against any attempts to undermine the reputation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and, by extension, Nigeria.

    “We believe in the strength of the democratic processes and the judicial system to address any legitimate concerns.

    “Premature and unfounded allegations not only do a disservice to the public but also risk diverting attention from pressing issues that truly deserve scrutiny.

    “We remain committed to democratic principles, and we encourage this group hiding under NADECO USA to engage in constructive dialogue and allow the legal system to take its course in addressing any genuine concerns”.

    “The supporters of Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and those of Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling.”

  • NADECO, where are you? (2)

    NADECO, where are you? (2)

    Wait a minute, how many of the original NADECO members are still alive and what’s their current attitudinal disposition and worldview to the democracy that we claim to be enjoying? We need to interrogate this premise so that we can appropriately gauge if what we have in place is worth what they have put into the struggle. Otherwise, we will only be deluding ourselves with the notion that NADECO lives, whereas it is long gone and lives only in the abstract. For example, Nigerians remember the name, NADECO, and what it stood for, but in concrete terms, does it remain the same as of today, September 23, 2023? The tragic truth is that we have pushed crass euphemism to its most extreme bound and allowed unholy accommodation to its bottomless pit.

    In any case, this is what can raise the Coalition from its moribund posture – to make the people to begin to think, because those who actually did not even understand democracy, and did not work for it have now come to eat where they have not sown; and they are everywhere.  The nauseating thing about this struggle is that they are now the ones who have a voice. The real soldiers have been relegated to the margins. Some of those who never knew the meaning of the struggle, let alone partake of it now call the shots. But who will hear the grievances of the original labourers in the vineyard? In Nigeria’s democratic setting, the powerful ones get by only for the ordinary folks to wonder their fate. And, to whom do they appeal? Yet, we talk about democracy. At best, that’s doctored democracy, that is, democracy as defined. It is remodelled to accommodate or exclude some irritants. You are lucky if your aims and objectives are included but you will forever keep complaining if yours are thrown out.

    Right now, the challenge is not to reawaken NADECO for the sake of NADECO. What do I mean? Sometimes, people create slogans without knowing how to deliver the lyrics. They shout a slogan so that it can be everywhere in the air. But to address what? To some people, the word, NADECO, is no longer necessary, because the military has gone back to the barracks, and we are running a democracy. End of story! However, how democratic is our democracy when the police arm of the government is not democratically responsible to the governor of a state? Is a situation where a Governor Ademola Adeleke decides not to pay government’s authentic workers their salaries and emoluments as Osun State has done and everybody keeps pretending as if the fall of a yellow leaf is no longer a warning to the green ones the democracy NADECO fought for?

    Read Also: NADECO, where are you? (1)

    Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Akin Aduwo, Abubakar Umar, Anya O. Anya, Ade Ojo, Sola Soile, Niyi Akintola and Vincent Nwizugbo, Nigerians remember your immeasurable contributions to the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria. But will this be the end? If not, how will you mentor others and build capacity for the future? Why can’t you move in to assist our president now that doing so has honour?

    Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK), Frank Ovie-Kokori, Femi Falana, Ayo Opadokun, Empire Kanu, Nick Dazzang, Siraj Hamza, Alex Ayatolla and Uma Eleazu! Those who may be thinking that they are already in their comfort zones should have a rethink so that their labour won’t be in vain. Therefore, this is not the time to behave like Donald Trump. It is not the time to lament our losses or betray the deepest values of democracy.

    To Wole Soyinka, Matthew Kukah, George Ehusani, Olisa Agbakoba, Peter Akinola and other allies of NADECO, we plead: ‘eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.’

    MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Suliat Adedeji, Babatunde Elegbede, Bagauda Kaltho, Chris Abachi, Shola Omoshola, Abdul-Ganiyu Fawehinmi, Alao Aka-Basorun, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Tunji Braithwaite, C. C. Onoh, Moses Adasu, Wahab Dosumu, Chima Ubani, Olaniwun Ajayi, Olabiyi Durojaye, Ayo Fasanmi, Yinka Odumakin and Sunday Mbang! These and many others have fought a good fight of faith and have gone to meet their Maker. So, how do we want them to be remembered? Is this the vision that made them stake their lives to save the country? Isn’t this the right time for the implementation of the fine ideals that the Coalition has over the years been preaching? NADECO, where are you? Where is your university, where those ideals can be taught? It is pathetic that some of your chieftains have held offices in the past but left the people worse than they met them. Immediately they had power, they stopped picking calls.

    Last of all, that Tinubu is said to be doing well shows that the ‘Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom’ believes in the NADECO cause. But it mustn’t end there. A watchdog is needed, whether it is NADECO or not, because social institutions are never to be trusted. They must be constantly under watch.

    •Concluded.

  • NADECO, where are you? (1)

    NADECO, where are you? (1)

    Last week, I had the honour of visiting Dr. Amos Akingba, a chieftain of Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), in his Ode-Irele, Ondo State country home. Akingba, who turned 85 last March, relocated to his hometown about two years ago.

    Since home is for rest, the elder statesman is back home to savour the serenity of his ancestral birthplace, but this time, the octogenarian is retiring to a community that has been without electricity since 2014. Ode-Irele is headquarters to one of the four Local Governments – Irele, Okitipupa, Ilaje and Ese-Odo – that have been subjected to ‘uninterrupted darkness’ for close to two decades. Yet, these communities turn out massively to vote at every election cycle! So, where are the Jimoh Ibrahims, the Agboola Ajayis and the Yele Omogunwas of Ikaleland and what have they been telling their friends out there? Anyway, this is a topic for another day; and it won’t be long!

    Back to the meat of the matter, Akingba was among the few Nigerians who risked their lives for the survival of dear fatherland during the sad phase of Nigeria’s political advancement. Adekunle Ajasin, Anthony Enahoro, Alfred Rewane, Adeyinka Adebayo, Bola Ige, Alani Akinriande, Ebitu Ukiwe, Cornelius Adebayo, Lawal Dambazzau, Bolaji Akinyemi, Kayode Fayemi, Labaran Maku and Wale Oshun! Abraham Adesanya, Reuben Fasoranti, Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae, Ndubuisi Kanu, Segun Osoba, Dan Suleiman, Ralph Obioha, Bola Tinubu, Yohanna Madaki, Dele Momodu, Jonah Jang, Lloyd Ukwu, Akingba and many others! While some of the NADECO and other members of the pro-June 12 forces were driven into exile, others managed to remain in Nigeria to give the Sani Abacha-led junta a run for its money. It was a risky and deadly struggle but it eventually paid off. On June 8, 1998, Abacha died at Aso Rock Villa and, on May 29, 1999, democracy found its way back to Nigeria.

    The 4th Republic is now 24 years old; and a time like this calls for a good review, especially, by one of the men in the eye of the storm.

    On NADECO, Akingba said that the Coalition is either dead or asleep. According to him, “most of the people who were there before are no longer there – by words, deeds and actions. We were very close; maybe, still close, to be able to know one another. We knew those who were hungry and came to NADECO only to eat. We knew those who joined because of their love for dear fatherland. As it was in the church, so it was in NADECO: it comprised all kinds of characters. There were experiences of betrayal. There were members who were operating under the influence of Abacha. There was even a time Abacha sent assassins after us and we escaped only by the whiskers. In the end, the truth prevailed. When those of us who were driven into exile came back to Nigeria, there was no continuation. Evidently, many of our leaders had different motives.”

    Hear Akingba on President Tinubu: “For me, Tinubu is better than most of the contestants. But he is just one individual, whereas leading Nigeria is a collective effort. Before he takes a decision, he has those he consults. He must have even researched it, because he doesn’t own Nigeria. It therefore depends on who our president is listening to and who is at the helm of his affairs because he cannot take a decision by himself. Tinubu can listen to history, that is, historical events a la where he is coming from. He can also listen to current affairs and his appointees, not only his ministers but also security operatives. However, our problem as a country is structural. Nigeria cannot be run successfully as a unitary country. We have run it and we have failed woefully. Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and others have been there but it’s not their fault that they weren’t successful. It’s because Nigeria has been running a unitary constitution.”

    Read Also: PDP will reclaim lost senatorial seats in Plateau, Mwadkwon vows

    He continued: “Nigeria has gone backward. Of course, when a country is going backward, all its citizens will partake of whatever becomes its lot. We no longer have a functional Police Force. The current system whereby all the state commands report to the Inspector General of Police cannot work. There will be corruption; and there’s corruption. Our institutions are not working. Our education system has failed. These days, a graduate cannot write correct letters. School certificate holders, who used to be the backbone of the civil workforce in the past, are even worse. In our very eyes, religion is now big business. Industries are gone. The roads that were constructed when Local Governments were worth their mission can no longer be maintained, even with more money and more people. Obviously, the Western world cannot be exonerated from Nigeria’s challenges. That’s why the president must be careful to do the right thing or not to do the right thing.”

    As a way out of the country’s predicament, Akingba canvassed a return to the 1963 constitution. He warned against racial injustice and domination if Nigeria is not to self-destruct. In his words, “the same gun that is used for gaming can also be used to kill a human being. So, the world must go towards self-management, that is, democracy. Our leaders, once they get into office, the office gets into their heads, thereby forgetting where they are coming from. We have seen friends who assumed office and became elusive. Now that they have left power, it’s difficult for them to access the base ladder which they once despised.”

    Akingba told a story of how, not once, not twice, he went to his polling unit at Opebi in Lagos to vote only to be told that somebody had already voted on his behalf; and the man in the former university lecturer and pro-democracy activist became ideologically detached.

    That’s the vintage Amos Arogundade Akindasa Akingba, aka ‘Triple A’.

    From Akingba’s account, there’s actually a puritanical angle to NADECO: the fact that we have a democracy still does not mean that we have a democracy; and Tinubu as a democrat should know that! So, we can begin to investigate the democracy that we have that allows for certain things and disallows others. Presently, what’s Nigeria as a nation state struggling with, democratically? Well, we may begin by interrogating the workings of the intergovernmental institutions, that is, the flow of the relationship between the arms of government on the one hand and states and the intergovernmental agencies on the other. Fortunately, from Akingba’s account, individuals who served as pillars behind the movement had other personal motives and, given the outcome of the objective platform, everyone cherry-picked the benefits as per the personal desires. Essentially therefore, the political gladiators describe the end as justifying the means. But then, in whose objective interest is the end justifying the means?

    NADECO was founded to call attention to Nigeria’s socio-political problems: pervasion of justice and imposition of injustice. But, considering the situation of things in Nigeria, have those issues been ultimately dealt with by society and can we say that the goodness of May 15, 1994 has rested, or been rested, for good and that there’s no need for it again? Once upon a time in Nigeria, NADECO was the new bride. As it is today, are we done with it and is its mission completed for good? Interestingly, apart from Tinubu’s huge investment in the struggle, he and others were running around the globe to see that the institutionalization of democracy and Federal structure in Nigeria became a reality. So, 24 years after, is ours a position of ‘uhuru’ or that of patching up?

    To be continued.

  • Ambode, Obasa, Fasanmi, others hail Tinubu at 67

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, the National Leader of Egbe Afenifere, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, and many others yesterday congratulated ex-Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his birthday.

    Tinubu turns 67 today.

    Ambode saluted the role played by the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, saying Nigeria was already on threshold of greatness with the duo in the next level government.

    Ambode, who spoke at the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja as part of activities marking the 67th birthday of Tinubu, said it was gratifying to note that the next level promised by the APC government was already unfolding, adding that the next four years would engender massive development and service to the people.

    He said: “We are all expectant and we can feel the next level unfolding. Our country is on the threshold of greatness because for the first time since our independence, we would have successive administrations of a progressive and visionary government; a government of integrity, a government whose sole interest is the well-being of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “We are lucky to be here in this exciting time; in a time when our country will be led by selfless individuals who have the progress and prosperity of our people as their major objective and we are here today because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been a very key part of this story.

    “We are here not only to celebrate him (Tinubu) but to celebrate the incoming dawn in Nigeria; we are here to celebrate the next level in Nigeria where Nigerians will be served and given what is due to them.”

    The governor, who attended the colloquium with his wife, Bolanle, hailed Tinubu for his political dexterity, doggedness, undoubted courage and political acumen, saying the attributes of the national leader played key part in the electoral victory of APC at the Federal, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    While describing the theme of the colloquium: “Next Level: Work For People,” as perfectly conceived and apt for the moment, Governor Ambode said it was instructive that it was coming at a time when Nigerians were eagerly looking forward to revolutionary transformation in key sectors and sections of the country.

    “This colloquium is coming at a time when the APC has spread its political tentacles even further in the country and this colloquium is coming at a time when Nigerians are eagerly looking forward to the next level in progressive politics, economic growth, social welfare and increased national security,” the governor said.

    Fayemi, in a tribute to Tinubu, described him as the leading light of progressive politics in the country, a fact which he said critics of the APC leader usually acknowledge.

    He recalled his working relationship with the former NADECO chieftain and said Tinubu remained a dependable, reliable and passionate leader, whose record of grooming successful disciples is unmatchable.

    Read also: Tinubu: Why Fed Govt can’t increase VAT now

    Fayemi said: “I celebrate you today as always because you have been a reliable, dependable and passionate leader. The hallmark of a great leader is not measured in castles and materials, but in his ability to groom and lead successful disciples.

    “Like a colossus in the jungle of life, your ability to identify, nurture and engage talents is unequalled. Your life has been a testimony of human capital development in an unrelenting struggle for a better life. Even your political detractors secretly admire your courage, vibrancy, intelligence, ebullience, kind-heartedness, warmth and sagacity.

    “I will forever cherish the memory of our struggles for the enthronement and sustenance of democracy and good governance in Nigeria. Your infectious smile, as we have witnessed together on a number of occasions, is disarming. You have, over the years, succeeded in constantly reinventing yourself as a leading light of progressive politics.

    “You mean different things to different people. To some, you are a patriotic politician, while to others, you are a political strategist who loves challenging the powers-that-be as a result of your passion and desire to see that your people are not deprived of their rights at any time.

    “You might not be the darling of all, but you have carved a niche for yourself in the political history of Nigeria. May providence reward your labour of love with long life in good health, unspeakable joy and everlasting bliss.

    “On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I wish you the best of what your new year can offer. Above all, I wish you many more useful and productive years,” he added.

    Obasa described Tinubu as the greatest politician of the present generation. The speaker, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, yesterday said:  “Asiwaju is the greatest politician of this generation. His leadership qualities and ability to discover and nurture talents for the greater good of the public is uncommon and unrivaled among his peers.

    “But for the special discovery talent of Asiwaju, great administrators like the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Lagos Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Messrs Wale Edun, Yemi Cardozo and Dele Alake among others would not have had the opportunity to show Nigerians and the world at large, the stuff they are made of.”

    Obasa also praised the pioneering efforts of Asiwaju Tinubu for the creation of modern Lagos which has become the role model for others to emulate in the country.

    “He’s the architect of modern Lagos, laying the solid foundation on which successful governments continue to build on making the state the best among its peers in the country and the continent,” he said.

    The Lagos Assembly Speaker stated further that the APC National Leader deserves all the accolades, best wishes and praises showered on him because he has always stand for good governance anchored equity and fairness nurtured by justice and strict adherence to the Rule of Law.

    “On behalf of my colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, I rejoice with our Leader, the great Jagaban of Africa on this glorious birthday celebration. I wish you many happy returns sir,” Obasa said.

    Fasanmi, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Adebayo Temitope, said: “No matter what you may say about Bola either you like him or not, there is no way you can discuss the democracy that is being enjoyed by many people today without mention Bola.”

    He added: “During the NADCO era, he played a vital role which is still fresh in everybody memory. Asiwaju Bola has fought a good fight for the sustenance of democracy and he has won. If not because of Asiwaju’s struggle, some have determined to turn this country to their private business. Bola, what you are celebrating is the reality of unprecedented, steady and consistent progress in the entire nation, even the foundation which you laid as the former governor of Lagos State during the AD still continues. As you are celebrating your birthday Bola, I can say you have come, you have seen and by the grace of God you shall conquer. Wishing you a many more good years. I pray you shall celebrate 93 like me.”

    Osun APC also congratulated Tinubu. The party said: “What makes this moment worthy of celebration is the quality of the series of achievements that the Jagaban of Borgu has made in less than four decades, from a local hero to a huge national figure.”

    In a message of goodwill signed by the chairman of the ruling party, Prince Gboyega Famodun, the APC added: “One of Asiwaju Tinubu’s greatest achievements is his contribution to the political engineering that brought the APC into being and led it to a historic victory in 2015.

    “And as if that was not historic enough, the Asiwaju led the new party to a second term victory in the just concluded elections.

    “These events were first of its kind in the history of Nigerian politics, and one that will occupy a special attention of historians,” the party said.

    He praised Tinubu for what he described as the  “unique generosity of the APC leader”, which has changed the lives of “hundreds of thousands of people”.

    He went on: “These people (that spread across party lines and nationalities) will never forget Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a hurry.

    “They will be amongst the millions of Nigerians who will be praying today to Allah that He grants the APC leader long life and prosperity for the good of Nigeria.”

    A socio-political group, Akwa Ibom Visionaries’ Choice for a Better Tomorrow Initiative (AKV), has described former Lagos State governor as ‘an apostle of one Nigeria’.

    The group said Tinubu has salvaged the country’s democracy through his brand of politics. Its National President, Emmanuel Effiong, said: ”Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is an Apostle of one Nigeria and a dogged fighter for the sustenance of unity and democracy in Nigeria.”

    Effiong said the group has been closely following the political contributions of the APC leader, adding that the posterity will not forgive the present crop Nigerians if they failed to identify with the lofty ideals and inputs of the former Lagos state governor to the country.

    Effiong eulogised Tinubu for his outstanding achievements, noting that the APC leader is an ”American-trained accountant of no mean repute, a party planter for the sustenance of Democracy and a political activist who struggled for the emancipation of Nigerians”.

    He urged all Akwa Ibom people to identify with and celebrate Tinubu as a stateman on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

  • NADECO, groups, others extol Fasehun’s virtues

    The leadership of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), human rights groups and social-cultural organisations on Tuesday extolled the virtues of the late Dr Frederick Fasehun, founder of the Oodua People’s Congress.

    The groups at the lying-in-state and Night of Tributes for the late Yoruba leader who died at 83 years on Dec.1, was described as a courageous democrat.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    In a tribute entitled: “NADECO Tribute to a Courageous Democrat-Dr Frederick Fasehun” read by Rear Adm. Ndubuisi Kanu, the President/Chairman of NADECO, the group commended Fasehun for his love for the masses.

    “A highly successful medical practitioner and Nigeria’s first acupuncturist, who could have continued his glowing practice without anyone blaming him for minding his personal business, Fasehun abandoned his comfort zone.

    “Fasehun decided to join pro-democracy elements to confront the evil that Gen. Sani Abacha armed to the teeth with weapons and all forces of coercion posed to Nigerian democracy.

    “Initially, a leading figure in the Campaign for Democracy (CD) with his friend and professional colleague, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Dr Fasehun went on to found the Yoruba social cultural group, OPC in 1994.

    “For Fasehun, OPC was the Yoruba’s answer to the military’s highly unjust annulment of the Presidential Election of June 12, 1993 won by Basorun MKO Abiola.

    “Fasehun combined forces with other pro-democrats to found the NADECO, the umbrella platform for June 12 struggle. For daring the dictator, Fasehun severally paid a harsh price in detentions.

    “Even in detention, his courage remained undaunted. This is the hero we have come to celebrate today,” Kanu said.

    He described Fasehun as a passionate patriot and comrade, a trustable and dependable ally, a selfless sacrifice, an indefatigable fighter, an activist par excellence and a courageous character.

    The NADECO chief also described Fasehun as “a cerebral mind, an honest critic, a consummate writer and author, an engaging debater and a philanthropic of note.”

    Kanu said that Fasehun selflessly strained to the future of a hope that was kindled by the nation’s founding fathers which was a hope of a Nation-state.

    He said that Fasehun would continue to represent some of the finest qualities in the Nigeria spirit and federalism as envisage by the founding fathers and the people.

    In her comments, Dr Joe Okie-Odumakin, the President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, said that the late Fasehun was a great life-wire of the human rights pro-democracy movements in Nigeria.

    Okei-Odumakin also described him as a historian who had the history of the country and the progressive movement on his fingertips.

    Also, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the National President, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), described Fasehun as a fearless leader.

    Shettima suggested that an edifice be named after the late Fasheun.

    “He (Fasehun) dared where others ran away and he was a thorn in the flesh of the dictators that ran Nigeria like a private estate.

    “For his rare courage, it has become very difficult, if not impossible for anyone to step into the large shoes he left behind,” he said.

    Shettima pledged that ACF would continue with the struggle for justice from where Fasehun stopped.

    In his tributes, Dr Olumide Aderibole, the President, Yoruba Indigenes Foundation Worldwide, said Fasheun was “a great patriot, distinguished Yoruba Icon, a deep thinker and an extremely mature personality.”

    Responding on behalf of the family, one of the deceased’s children, Mr Oluremi Fasehun, appreciated everyone who comforted and supported the family during the period of grief.

    NAN reports that several Yoruba leaders and human rights groups were in attendance to pay the last respect to Fasehun.

     

  • NADECO seeks post-humous inauguration for Abiola

    THE National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), led by Real Admiral Ndubusi Kanu, yesterday called for the post-humous inauguration of the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, as president.

    The group also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to also name “a national monument of consequence” after the business mogul-turned politician to erase the insinuation that he had paled into a regional hero.

    Acknowledging the conferment of the highest national honour on Abiola by the Federal Government, the group said the President should muster the courage to address other “associated matters” triggered by June 12.

    The group asked ethnic nationalities, professional bodies, traditional and religious bodies and the civil society organisations to unite and work towards the restoration of a “federal constitution governance” that will mirror the 1960 Independence Constitution.

    NADECO Secretary Ayo Opadokun told reporters in Lagos that President Buhari can only deepen democracy, if a conscious attempt is made to restore true federalism.

    At the news conference to mark the silver jubilee anniversary of June 12 were Kanu, a former Lagos State military governor, Col. Tony Nyam, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin, Fred Agbeyegbe, Ayodele Adewale, Japheth Odesanya, Popoola Ajayi and Nelson Ekunjimi.

    Opadokun said: “Nigeria should stop living a lie by calling itself a federation when it is in fact being governed centrally by unitarism.”

    Tracing the genesis of the June 12 crisis to former military President Ibrahim Babangida’s subversion of democracy, he said the consequence of the annulment was the loss of national unity.

    He said: “Abiola’s victory could have assisted most Nigerians to consider themselves as equal partners in the Nigerian project. This was because the victory was a defeat of the major dubious national divides, which the elite have always exploited for their selfish advantage.”

    Urging Buhari to post-humously inaugurate Abiola as president, Opadokun said: “A national monument of consequence should be named after President Abiola, as opposed to falsely presenting him as a regional hero or icon.”