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Tag: National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)

  • NADECO chieftain Animashaun dies at 71

    NADECO chieftain Animashaun dies at 71

    A chieftain of defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Musiliu Olakunle Akanni Animashaun, is dead.

    He died in London last week after an illness. He was 71.

    Animashaun has been buried in Rochdale, Manchester, according to Islamic rites, and a fidau was held for him yesterday at Levenshulme in Manchester.

    He survived by a wife, Airat, and four children.

    The late Animashaun played a major role in Germany’s chapter of the pro-democracy coalition, organising and hosting most of its meetings and conferences during the struggle against military dictatorship.

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    He and his pro-democracy organisation hosted the Ogun State House of Assembly delegation at Acheen in Germany after the coalition’s visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, in October 2000.

    A statement by a former Ogun State House of Assembly’s Speaker Olusegun Gbeleyi said Animashaun remained a very loyal supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till the end of his life.

    He said: “The prodemocracy movements in Germany will really miss his sudden exit to glory.

    “May God comfort all of us, his loved ones, and may his gentle soul a find repose and eternal rest with his Creator.”

  • How Edo celebrated Oyegun

    The Edo State Government has celebrated the 80th birthday of the state’s first Executive Governor, Chief John Odigie Oyegun with pomp and ceremony. The elaborate ceremony held in Benin-City.

    The streets of Bénin-City and the city centre, the Oba Ovoranmen Square were adorned with birthday poster of Chief Oyegun, who is the oldest serving former governor in the state. His administration was truncated by General Sani Abacha and he fled into exile to join the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) movement.

    As part of activities to celebrate the birthday, a golf tournament was organised and the tee-off was attended by prominent citizens such as the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Minister designate, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Senator Domingo Obende, among others.

    Prizes were given to winners at a colourful ceremony held at the Bénin Golf Club.

    Addressing reporters in Benin-City, Chief Oyegun thanked God for his life, expressing delight that God has kept him alive to celebrate 80 years of age.

    He described the golf tournament as a great honour to him and one he will remember for long. He said: “Most of my friends are golfers and they chose to celebrate with me this way. I thank them all; Benin Club and the Edo State Government for backing and funding this competition. This is a great honour to me at 80 years.”

    Shaibu explained that the golf tournament for the state’s first civilian governor was to honour his contributions to national development.

    “We chose to celebrate Oyegun with this golf tournament because golf is a game of life and friendship. We thank God for his life. As a government, we will continue to tap from his experience,” he said.

    On Monday, the Saint Paul Catholic Church was filled to its capacity as traditional rulers, politicians from different political parties, ordinary citizens and professionals from various walks of life converged to celebrate Chief Oyegun. It was an event that was beamed live to the world.

    Traffic officers had a hectic time controlling cars that were arriving at the venue.

    In his homily, Bishop of the Benin Diocese of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Obiora Akubeze, said Oyegun was a rare bred politician that joins politics not to confuse the people but to convince the electorates.

    Bishop Akubeze described Oyegun as the best politician Nigeria has produced and man that is living out his faith.

    He said: “I salute the courage, audacity and goodwill of Chief Oyegun. He is one of the few former governors I know that are living out their faith. He is a member of St Vincent Society of St Paul Parish. He sits with members to screen people who have come to ask for assistance. His position has never made him inaccessible to anyone. He is one of the most easily accessed highly placed politicians. He does not ignore a person. He respects both the poor and the rich.

    “Oyegun has shown that we must thank God always. We must learn to thank God for His benevolence towards us. Whenever we received what we want, we never go back to thank God.

    “Peace comes from justice. Our political leaders must know that anyone who wants peace must work for justice. Our political leaders must work for justice for every Nigerians irrespective of political parties, ethnicity and religious backgrounds.

    Justice brings peace. Nations only develop when there is peace. If we want Nigeria to develop, we must work for justice so that we can have peace.”

    Governor Godwin Obaseki said the state government sponsored the birthday celebration in line with the spirit of Nigeria’s national anthem that “the labour of past heroes shall never be in vain.

    ”At present, we are here to celebrate our own Chief Odigie-Oyegun. On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I want to congratulate you on your 80th birthday.

    “For your contributions and what you have done for our dear state, I have decided to name the public service academy, which is under construction, after you. We know your passion for public service; we know and acknowledge the contributions you made to public service in Nigeria. “Therefore, we have decided to name the edifice which will be completed within the next 60 days, by the grace of God, after you. President Muhammadu Buhari will come to inaugurate the academy, with you standing beside him. It will be known as the John Odigie-Oyegun Institute for Public Administration.”

    The institute, according to the governor, is on “three floors and is made up of large training rooms that will host 220 people. Two halls hold 118 people each. There are seven training halls that will host 58 people each.  There is a library, a sick bay, a cafeteria and 12 offices. This facility at any point in time can hold and train a minimum of 900 people. It will be the largest facility for training public servants in Nigeria.”

    National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Uche Secondus, described Oyegun as a national leader that must be celebrated.

    Secondus said the birthday was attended by leaders of various political parties because of what Oyegun represented and believed in.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose speech was read by Gideon Ikhine, an Engineer, said Chief Oyegun earned his confidence as military President between 1976 and 1979 through dint of hard work and resourcefulness.

    Chief Obasanjo said Oyegun demonstrated rare qualities of commitment and courage by always upholding the cherished tradition of the public service and his performance as Permanent Secretary on Economic Matters was outstanding.

    He said Oyegun deployed sound knowledge and wealth of experience in economic development matters such that the administration’s policies were appreciated and understood by the populace.

    Former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said Oyegun distinguished himself as a career civil servant and the celebration was to give honour to who honour is due.

    Other dignitaries that attended the event were wife of Edo State Governor Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his wife, Betty Akeredolu; Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye; the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, Minister Designate, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus; representatives of Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II; former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, Esama of Benin Kingdom, Commissioners and members of Edo State House of Assembly, among others.

  • 2019 Elections: Fasehun warns against consequences of unguarded talks

    The Founder of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun, on Sunday warned against unguarded talks ahead of the 2019 general elections, saying such might have dire consequences for Nigeria.

    The octogenarian and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Chieftain, who will turn 85 years on Sept. 21, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Fasehun said that the most important task before every Nigerian now was to ensure that the unity and peace of the country was preserved as an entity.

    “At my age and looking back at the battles we fought to enshrine democracy in Nigeria through NADECO, I cannot sit and watch Nigeria disintegrate.

    “Elections are not a door die affair. Leaders come and go which is why we have tenure in Nigeria. It is not a life position but the country will always remain for new leaders.

    “I am most pained that some of the elder statesman are on the sidelines, and doing nothing to call their people to order.

    “It is not a situation restricted to any part of the country, it cuts across. This is the time for statesmen to rise and speak with one voice against violence and incitement that may negate what we stand for as a nation,” Fasehun said.

    He said that there was need for Nigerians to go beyond ethnicity and party leanings in selecting their leaders.

    “2019 is not about the Presidency alone. Attention must be given to those who represent the people in the National Assembly. The governors and their state assemblies are not left out of it.

    “The centre cannot work properly if we continue to vote in persons whose only intention are to embezzle.

    “How do we begin to justify the inability of state governors to pay workers’ salaries. There are so many issues that have become so worrisome and at my age, I fear it may end up becoming a norm to owe salaries in Nigeria.

    “The buck stops with the people. It is their decision to make. Whatever choices they make are what they will live with.

    “Voting is not for God to do. It is for humans. In doing this, our conscience must be our guide. The future of our generations must remain the priority as we go to the polls,” he said.

    He urged civil society groups to take up the task of educating Nigerians, especially the youth against being used during elections to spill blood or disrupt the electoral process.

    “My thinking is that henceforth, the security apparatus should move to pick up anyone, groups or persons who make inciting comments ahead of the polls as a deterrent.

    “We once fought a civil war, we cannot afford war in Nigeria again because at this stage of our development, war will affect every part of the nation. It will crumble the nation completely and make us all refugees, including the rich and the poor.

    “When I go, I would love to go happy, knowing that things are working right and that we did not fight in vain.

    “I want a Nigeria that will make us all proud and take it’s pride of place among the comity of nations in all aspects,” Fasehun said.

    On who becomes the next President in Nigeria, Fasehun, said, “My preference does not matter. I am an elder statesman now. My blessing goes to all and I pray that the best man will be chosen by the people in a violence-free election.”

    He restated the need for Nigeria to be restructured in accordance with agitations from the various entities making up the country.

    NAN reports that Fasehun was born in 1938 and hails from Ondo City in the current Ondo State.

    A medical doctor, he studied science at Blackburn College and furthered his education at Aberdeen University College of Medicine.

    He also studied at the Liverpool Postgraduate School after which he had a Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons.

    In 1976, he studied acupuncture in China under a joint World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Development Scholarship Programme.

    In 1977, he set up an Acupuncture Unit at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    Fasehun resigned in 1978 and immediately set up the Besthope Hospital and Acupuncture Centre in Lagos. The Acupuncture Centre once earned a reputation as Africa’s first for the Chinese medical practice.

    The OPC he founded is a Yoruba-based organisation formed to actualise the annulled mandate of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, a Yoruba who purportedly won the presidential election of June 12, 1993 but was barred from office.

    Fasehun was imprisoned for 19 months from December 1996 to June 1998 during the military rule of Sani Abacha, only ending 18 days after Abacha’s death.

  • Opadokun: Buhari should restructure Nigeria now

    Opadokun: Buhari should restructure Nigeria now

    A leading member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ayo Opadokun, has called on President Mohammadu Buhari to embark on the restructuring of Nigeria without delay.

     

    Opadokun made the call while featuring on a radio programme of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) in Ibadan, Saturday.

     

    At the programme tagged ‘Saturday Special’ which focused on the 57th independence anniversary of the country, Opadokun relayed the various efforts made by his generation of socio-political leaders to develop the country. He said formation of various socio-political groups, NADECO, drawing of blueprints on how to make Nigeria work better and participation in the various national conferences were part of such efforts. He then called on younger Nigerians to stand up and lead such efforts because the future belongs to them.

     

    Opadokun said calls for restructuring, which is currently reigning across the nation, are the primary solution the country can offer now.

    He argued that President Buhari should ignore political consideration and allow restructuring, stressing that any delay will further jeopardize the unity and development of the country.

    Corroborating his position, Dr Yemi Farohunbi said it takes only a selfless, detribalized, courageous and visionary leader to change the fortunes of a people.

    He cited the example of the defunct United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and India when former great leaders changed the direction of the countries to that of unity and prosperity through measures that ensured equality and fairness, thereby promoting patriotism.

    The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo, also stressed the need for restructuring but emphasized that all such steps must be lawful.

  • NADECO to hold National Conference on the future of Nigeria

    NADECO to hold National Conference on the future of Nigeria

    The National Democratic Coalition [NADECO] has said the group is set to host national conference in Washington, DC where Nigerians will discuss the future of the country and the way forward.

    At the Press briefing Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the leaders of the group, Comrade Uyi Meshack and Miller Melfort said the purpose is to save Nigeria from the present crisis.

    Comrade Meshack said they consulted with the old and new leaders of NADECO in abroad and those in Nigeria before they decided to inform the public of their plan.

    He said NADECO was established in 1994 as opposition to military dictatorship and played a major role in 1994, after the June 12, 1993 crisis when Nigeria was faced with a serious political crisis, adding that NADECO rose to the occasion and fought tirelessly to usher in the democratic in Nigeria.

    He noted that they are working closely with leaders of different ethnic groups, political parties and some political heavy weight in the country, stressing that the conference are not under the sponsorship of any government.

    Comrade Meshack said: “We the people of Nigeria, including political parties and a galaxy of Nigerian political titans have voiced enthusiastic support to discuss the future of Nigeria. This conference is to be hosted by NADECO in Washington, DC, and it has been slated for 13-18, 2017.

    “Today, 23 years later, Nigeria is at another political crossroads. Again, NADECO is rising to the occasion, unlike 1994 when NADECO’s mission was prodemocracy; its current mission is to facilitate good governance and economic development of Nigeria’s political dispensation.

    “NADECO will publish a conference agenda, dates, and invitees in the forthcoming weeks. At present, Nigeria is governed by a constitution decreed by military dictatorship that has long outlasted its usefulness. Nigerians desperately need a new birth of freedom. “

  • June 12: Ambode urges Nigerians to remain united

    June 12: Ambode urges Nigerians to remain united

    …Restructuring, Way Out Of Nation’s Political Uncertainties, Says Ndubuisi Kanu 

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday paid glowing tributes to the late winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Chief M.K.O Abiola and other martyrs of democracy who laid down their lives in the struggle to entrench good governance in the country, urging Nigerians to continue to remain united and uphold democratic values.

    The election, which was adjudged as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, was annulled by the military junta.

    Speaking at a symposium put together by the State Government in conjunction with June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations to mark the 24th anniversary of the annulled election, Governor Ambode said the day and the events that followed would remain evergreen in Nigeria’s political history, being a process through which Abiola and others laid down their lives in a bid to actualize the popular will of the people expressed through the ballot box.

    Governor Ambode, who was represented by the State’s Deputy Governor, Mrs Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said the seed of the 4th Republic currently being enjoyed was sown and watered by the blood of men and women who were cut down in their prime, adding that their memories would be honoured until the end of time.

    While acknowledging the fact that the June 12 struggle was waged not only by Abiola and members of his family but also pro-democracy groups particularly National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), students, trade unions and indeed all Nigerians, Governor Ambode said it was a thing of joy that by the collective efforts of government and people, Lagos State, over the years, has kept alive the yearnings and aspirations of the people expressed on June 12, 1993.

    He said: “It is an open fact that the successive democratically elected governments in the State since 1999 have been totally committed to democratic principles, rule of law, strengthening of democratic institutions as well as implementation of programmes and policies that would enhance the wellbeing of all Lagosians, without bias for tribe, religion, political belief or gender.

    “To strengthen the hope of the masses in the principles of democracy, our administration embraced ‘all-inclusive policy’ which was geared towards involving all segments of the populace in the governance process; avenues and institutions were created to enable all have a voice in the affairs of the State,” he said.

    Aside that, Governor Ambode said his administration also embraced Town Hall meeting approach to create avenue for numerous stakeholders and the people to air their opinions and suggest a way forward for the State, while wealth creation and job creation strategies were also adopted with focus on entrepreneurial activities to expose youths and the people to numerous skills to make them either employable or self-employed.

    Besides, Governor Ambode urged Nigerians to keep alive the principles of June 12 by upholding democratic values and culture especially by participating in democratic processes such as voters’ registration exercise, voting for candidates of choice during election and avoiding any act that could disrupt peaceful conduct of free, fair and credible election.

    He added: “We must also remain united and hopeful for a more prosperous future for our nation. This way, we will be keeping the spirit of June 12 alive and strong.”

    Guest speaker at the symposium, Dr. Dele Ashiru from the University of Lagos, who spoke on the theme: “Development Strategy In Lagos: A Blueprint For National Development,” commended the leadership which the Lagos State has produced since 1999 till date.

    He said it was incontrovertible that former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu incubated the developmental agenda of the State and advanced by his successor, Babatunde Fashola, while the incumbent Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is expanding and consolidating the vision of development in a seamless, ingenious and brilliant manner.

    On his part, Chairman of the occasion and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd.) said even though a thick cloud is hanging in the horizon on the state of the nation especially with agitations from all parts of the country, he was of the firm believe that the situation could still be salvaged through restructuring which would not be about re-inventing the will but returning to a federation of different peoples.