The media is awash with June 12 stories not only because it is another anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola but also because the presidential address by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided enough meat for people with diverse interests and motives to feed fat on. For the President’s political opponents, there was nothing the president could have said that they would not have torn into pieces.

The problems remain the same

Has fuel price returned to the N187 it was before Tinubu made his “subsidy is gone” announcement? Has the Naira exchange rate returned to the pre-Tinubu merger of the official and black market exchange rates? Has insecurity abated all over the country? What of the cankerworm of corruption: Has it been fought to a standstill? Have cries of “we are hungry” ceased completely all over the land?  The answer to all these questions is capital NO!

The President himself admitted that much, even if indirectly, in his address to the joint session of the National Assembly. He reeled out all the policies and actions of his government. He told us that reasonable progress has been made. He encouraged us to keep faith with his government; that he could see light at the end of the tunnel. Not many Nigerians can see what he sees, though. But that does not mean he did not see what he claims to have seen. His position is vantaged; besides, how many times did Elijah send his servant to look towards the sea to see whether there was any sign of the abundant rain he had declared to murderous King Ahab? Seven times! This was even after he had declared that he heard the sound of the abundance of rain. No one else heard the sound: Not the king and not the servant. And Elijah had to pray really hard before what he prophesied became reality. (1 Kings 18: 41 – 46). Taking a cue from that, Tinubu still has a lot of work to do to bring to reality the better life he keeps promising Nigerians is around the corner. At best, therefore, Nigeria is still “work in progress.”

Fight-to-finish

Will the President’s opponents understand and appreciate this? I do not think so! Remember, the President once told us we should not pity him; that he asked for this job; he begged to have it, and he crossed many streams and climbed many hills before his invocation of “Emilokan” became reality. So, don’t expect the opposition to pity him. Here, politics is winner-takes-all. The President himself is not showing the opposition any mercy. He told them in his address that their grief is his joy; their pain, his delight. That was after he had said he had no intention or plot to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, but if the opposition, unable to put its house in order, gifts the President a one-party state, so be it!

What the President forgot to do was cap that section of his speech with the former governor of Rivers state and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike’s signature song: “As e dey pain dem/E dey sweet us/As e dey sweet us/E dey pain dem!” President Tinubu left no one in doubt that the gale of defections that has hit the PDP sweets his stomach. More of it!

The politics of heroes’ awards

President Tinubu is a politician par excellence! Give that to him! He gave everyone something to cheer as well as to deride in his long list of June 12 heroes. Some unpardonable errors of repetition of names gives the impression that the list must have been hastily compiled. More diligence is needed in the future. Granted that everyone could not have made the list, there were some omissions that were unexplainable. I doff my hat for the President for the many names of my professional colleagues that made the list. But some must have been deliberately omitted because they are not in the administration’s good books. Every top editor on the “The News” stable got onto the list except Babafemi Ojudu! I saw only Dare Babarinsa from TELL magazine. When Niran Malaolu called me on Friday evening to invite me to his radio station for a programme on Monday, I asked him why his name was missing on the list. George Mbah, Chris Anyanwu and so many others. Those of us at The PUNCH newspapers were completely blotted out; yet, we stood and fought for June 12 more than anyone else; even more than the Concord newspapers owned by MKO Abiola, the symbol of the June 12 struggle. I stand to be corrected because facts and figures back up this claim. But like I said earlier, maybe everyone cannot be on the list at one and the same time. Maybe next time…

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But the truth is that not everyone who was a June 12 hero can be honoured or will ever be honoured. Many were mowed down in their hundreds all over Lagos and some other places by Abacha. Who knows those ones? Who can ever identify them? What of those who just disappeared? Only those who had a name were known. And only those who have someone in the corridors of power to mention their name will be remembered. And, even at that, only those who are in the good books of the government will be pencilled down for such awards. But I have a suggestion: Let us have a cenotaph for “Unknown June 12 hero”, just like we have for ” Unknown soldier”. And just like we lay wreaths on the unknown soldier cenotaph every January 15th, let us do similarly for the unknown June 12 hero every June 12th, if not all over the country but at least in the FCT Abuja and Lagos, where many of the victims were callously mowed down by Abacha. That way, the known heroes may get their rewards and the unknown may get theirs as well. Having said that, Tinubu’s initiative to revisit June 12 is good. He was one of us in that struggle. He is, thus, like a river that has not forgotten its source. The shame and regret now will be for those before him who had the opportunity to do but neglected to do.

Is this a democracy?

As I close, let me say that I think the name “Democracy Day” is an abnormality. This country is yet to experience democracy properly so-called. The grundnorm of every democracy is the Constitution. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) is a fraud. It claims that “We the people” of Nigeria gave ourselves the constitution when we did not. That constitution is a military imposition, rammed down our throats by the retreating Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar military junta. In fact, it is said that the entire constitution was drafted by one Prof. Yadudu – single-handedly. The 1960 Constitution was the only constitution negotiated by the leaders of the various Nigerian peoples. I have a grouse with the 1963 so-called Republican constitution because of the way the conspiracy of Balewa and Zik created the Mid-west out of the Western Region to whittle its power and influence while the behemoth Northern Region and the colluding Eastern Region were left intact despite the serious agitations by the minorities there for the creation of Middle Belt and South-South (Ogoja) regions.

Democracy is defined as “government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Since 1999 when this Fourth Republic took off, we have not had a government “by the people”. All elections have been rigged. We have not had a government “of the people”; the ruling class in power is disconnected from the people it purports to lead, serve or represent. Since 1999, we have not had a government “for the people”. They have all, in the main, existed for their own personal and selfish interests. Which is why the people’s condition and existentialism get worse government after government. It does not just rain for the mass of our people, it pours! Perhaps our rulers – not leaders in the real sense of the word – will get born-again and turn a new leaf tomorrow or the day after!

To restructure Nigeria is a task that must be foney

In the aftermath of the Nigerian civil war, “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done” became a slogan. Even the name of the then military Head of State, Gowon, was imaginatively spelt out to mean “Go On With One NIGERIA (GOWON)!” This time around, “To restructure Nigeria has become a task that must be done.” People with uncommon imagination should help us coin something out of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s NAME in that regard. Just as Yakubu Gowon became known with keeping Nigeria one, Tinubu must endeavour to go down in history as the man that took up the inescapable, even if arduous, task of restructuring it.

I like that subtle reminder by Mr. Speaker to Mr. President that having solved his own power problem with a multi-billion Naira solar contract, he should not abandon hapless Nigerians to their fate. As I write this, no light!

How many years of civilian rule so far?

Now, when people say we have had 26 unbroken years of democracy, I disagree. What we have had, at best, is civil or civilian rule. Governments are hardly civil here: so, let’s not bedeck them in borrowed robes. But we have had civilians in power – even at that, I cannot count 26 years. Obasanjo was, soul and spirit, a military man merely donning “agbada” or civilian dress for the eight years he was in office as president; ditto Buhari. So, 26 minus 16 = 10 years. By my own calculation, we have had only 10 years of civilian rule. For the 16 years that they were in office, Obasanjo and Buhari ruled like military despots.

Posers for Mr. Speaker

Let me note the Speaker of the House of Representatives’ plea to Tinubu to do something about the country’s epileptic power supply. I like that subtle reminder by Mr. Speaker to Mr. President that having solved his own power problem with a multi-billion Naira solar contract, he should not abandon hapless Nigerians to their fate. As I write this, no light!

Mr. Speaker also thanked the President for putting more money in the pockets of legislators for constituency projects – but where are the projects? We can’t see them. Someone said they are in the stomachs, pockets and offshore bank accounts of legislooters! Enhanced financing of the three tiers and arms of government has not translated into enhanced performance or the trickle down of the “dividends of democracy” to the grassroots level. Who bells the cat?

The incomplete list of June 12 heroes -Ajasin family

Much as I hate to get personal, I would be lying if I didn’t say that I and other members of my family were rather surprised that the name of our father was not among those honoured by President Tinubu as he doled out National honours to June 12 heroes. Besides, I have been inundated with calls from friends and well-wishers wondering why my late father’s name, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, was omitted from the list. As is characteristic of the Ajasin family, our deeds are mostly altruistic, since there is usually no craving for any reward, notwithstanding our privations. Consequently, our deeds and performances very often go unnoticed/unrecognized. However, it is unconscionable that the leader of the group (NADECO) best known for fighting the military and bringing about the much-touted democracy never got a single mention in the scheme of June 12 celebration/anniversary! I do not know whether this conspicuous omission was deliberate or not, but be it known that Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin CFR in his lifetime doubled as the Leader of Afenifere and NADECO, the two organizations that were the arrowheads and in the forefront of the fight against military dictatorship. It was Afenifere that provided the leadership for all the other activists and civil society organizations which included the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Movement for National Reformation (MNR), National Conscience Party (NCP) Concerned Professionals (CP), etc… At the risk of being immodest, my father, our family and, indeed, the Owo community were subjected to all sorts of risks from the marauding goons of the Abacha regime. Even where no awards or rewards are dispensed to these heroes of democracy, they certainly deserve to be recognised and mentioned in a country that has a dearth of heroes. – Chief Tokunbo Ajasin (For the Family).

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

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My June 12 day was hectic as usual; it started very early in the day as I led my parishioners to pray against destiny destroyers. There are many intriguing cases of destinies that were, well, inexplicably destroyed in the Bible; a few examples were Abel, whose offering God accepted but who, as a result, got killed by his brother Cain whose own offering God had rejected; a thoroughbred and conscientious soldier, Uriah the Hittite, whose brutal murder was orchestrated by a loafing King David to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife; and the conspiracy of King Ahab and his notorious wife, Jezebel, that led to the gruesome murder of Naboth. In all the three cases, the victims were blameless as far as ordinary eyes can see; yet, they were victims of destiny destroyers. In His manifest wisdom which no mortal can query, God punished the vile offenders but only after the deed had been done. That must be an object lesson for all of us!

Abiola’s protest and effort to retrieve his mandate led to his arrest and detention, where he eventually died. He was not allowed to fulfil his destiny by destiny destroyers.

A similar fate befell Chief MKO Abiola who won the June 12, 1993 presidential election fairly and squarely but was not allowed to enjoy the fruits of his labour. The military junta in power, led by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), annulled the election. As he was “stepping aside” from office under a barrage of protests by Nigerians led by civil society groups and activists, IBB installed an inept Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan. Gen. Sani  Abacha, the most senior military officer after IBB’s exit, wasted no time in dismissing Shonekan and taking over the reins of office. Abiola’s protest and effort to retrieve his mandate led to his arrest and detention, where he eventually died. He was not allowed to fulfil his destiny by destiny destroyers.

From church I landed at the Lagos State Television (LTV) where I was one of an array of analysts that discussed the various angles to the June 12, 1999 presidential election, the protests that followed its annulment, the political impasse or logjam that dragged for years, the eventual return to civilian rule on 29 May, 1999 and the progress made so far, if any. If anything, the current Fourth Republic is the longest-running in the history of the country and if it is true that experience is the best teacher, then, Nigerians must have learnt one or two lessons on how to sustain and nurture our renascent democracy. Challenges encountered so far, and the roadmap for a better tomorrow, were also dissected.

From there, I moved to the Oodua People’s Congress commemoration of June 12, the 30th in a row, at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba. The place was jampacked and the atmosphere was electric. It was my first participation in OPC’s commemoration of June 12. Activists and civil society organisations, traditional rulers and various chapters of OPC from far and near made the hotel premises too inadequate for the event. Leader of the OPC and Aare Onakankanfo, Iba Gani Adams, said in his speech that Nigeria cannot achieve much if our democratic aspirations are tied to the 1999 Constitution. He enjoined President Tinubu to find a way to get the constitution reviewed. Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin encouraged June 12 activists not to give up the struggle. She demanded that Abiola be placed on the same pedestal as former presidents of the country. On fuel subsidy removal, she counselled that the sacrifice demanded by our leaders should flow from top to bottom and not the other way round.

READ ALSO: The confessions of Dino Melaye, By Bola Bolawole

Dr. Tunji Abayomi described the 1999 Constitution as the fruits of a poisonous tree and urged the National Assembly to pass a law that will vest the Nigerian people with the powers to give themselves a Constitution. The Guest Lecturer, Dr. Oseni Taiwo Afisi, said June 12 transcended the identity politics of ethnicity, religion and such other primordial instincts. Veteran journalist, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, also supported the demand for a new Constitution while also calling for the immortalisation of other heroes of democracy, which included journalists. Another veteran, Dare Babarinsa, said answers must be found to why the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar regime that succeeded Abacha failed to release Abiola from detention when other detainees were being released. He urged President Tinubu, the first activist to become Nigeria’s president, to order an investigation into this.

There were many other speakers, including this writer, but space will not allow us to mention them. I left the gathering resolved to attend future activities of the OPC as I find convenient.

NCC chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande’s golden advice to 10th National Assembly

Election of principal officers into the 10th National Assembly has come and gone and everyone must have simmered now, as they say. The next battle will shift to the composition of Senate and House committees. That will be the first litmus test of how competently Godswill Akpabio (Senate President) and Tajudeen Abass (Speaker of the House of Representatives) can bridge the gulf created by the keen competition for their respective seat and rally the chambers behind themselves. The robust intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was what made what had initially threatened to be a fight-to-finish look eventually like a storm in a tea cup, judging by the ease with which Akpabio and Abass sailed through. But the wisdom of our people says you can help someone to land a job but you will not be the one to execute the mandate for him. So, the ball is now in the court of Akpabio and Abass and the task of rowing the boat rests squarely on their shoulders. Can they rally their colleagues? Do they have the required leadership skills? Are they selfless? Will they be listeners who will be patient servant-leaders and not dictators? I came across the advice given by Professor Adeolu Akande, chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and felt that not just Akpabio and Abass but the entirety of the 10th National Assembly need it to succeed.

Hear the professor of Comparative Politics: “Now that the winners have clearly emerged after all the horse trading, I want to enjoin all the lawmakers to put Nigeria first and collaborate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in actualising his “Renewed Hope” agenda. So far, the country is moving in the right direction. I expect members of the National Assembly to collaborate with the Executive in moving the country forward. President Tinubu, since his inauguration on May 29, 2023, has left no one in doubt on his vision and mission to make Nigeria one of the best economies in the world. This can only be achieved with a cooperative and collaborative Legislature.” It couldn’t have been better put!

Prof. Akande then assured that the Board of the NCC, which he leads, will continue to initiate lofty ideas that will lead to poverty reduction, wealth creation and employment generation. Since every politics is local, Akande did not forget his home base of Oyo state as he also felicitated federal lawmakers from the state on their inauguration as members of the 10th National Assembly. He told them “to consider this as a rare opportunity and call to serve our fatherland. I pray God grant you the wisdom and good health to succeed in this national assignment!” Again, well said!

FEEDBACK on “Will Osinbajo rue missed opportunities?

Hello, Bola, o t’ojo meta! Just read your piece on Osinbajo in today’s Tribune:  Sobering, poignant, and VERY instructive. ‘Kuu’se o’! -Niyi Osundare.

I pity Osinbajo, our gentleman professor of Law. He was a prisoner of power while in Aso villa. I believe he became a target of jealousy the few times he stood in for his principal; they were worried by his brilliance and potentials in power. That’s why they ended up taming him while ensuring that he lost friendship with Tinubu. Like you, I await his memoirs on his travails in power. It would be an interesting read. More ink to your pen, as usual. Please send the e-copy of your UI lecture to me after delivery. – Dipo Onabanjo.

Very sad story! He was marked out by the cabal. – Prince Suyi Olateru-Olagbegi.

Thanks very much, Sir. Osinbajo, like Obasanjo, needs to tell us the type of devil that resides in Aso villa that makes them forget their ancestral home. – Bello Mohammed Adeola.

I greet you once again for always standing on the side of not just the fact but also the truth! To start with, those who brought Obasanjo to power only gave him the office of the president but kept the authority and power of the office to themselves. Obasanjo was only able to grab and snatch 70% of the power towards the end of his second term; that was why he longed for third term! Under the Nigerian system, vice presidents are like spare tyres. Everything you said about Osinbajo is 100 per cent true. Keep the good work going, Sir! -Titus Kosemani Ayojesu.

Osinbajo was a disappointment all the way… There was no sign of a pastoral understanding on his part.  He was put in position for “such a time like this” but… he was not sensitive to the Holy Spirit and had no sacrificial calling of “if l perish l perish” in order to do the needful. I am sure he and his cronies will have tons of lame excuses. I pray God will forgive him for being a bad example of a Christian in position of authority! By the way, let me have a link, if available, to your upcoming lecture at U. l. I will like to watch it either live or later. If that is not possible, please avail me an electronic copy to read. Blessings, my big brother! Reminder, please work on the compendium of your works. Or will you want me to do it? -Dr. Revd. Demola Sodeinde.                                                             

You can now see the deceit in human behaviour! Where are the youths shouting and hailing him on the APC primaries ground in June last year? Some of us didn’t like his steps at that time but where are those defending his actions as the right thing to do? Why have they forsaken him so soon? That’s a peculiarity of the Yoruba race. Similar story followed Aregbesola but as a politician he has started to apologize and shift the blame of his misbehaviour on Satan! I wish Osinbajo would follow suit! Everybody likes power; however, it was rumoured that (Borno state Gov. Babagana Umara) Zulum was approached to be VP (to Tinubu) but he said no; that they should first approach his boss, (Kashim) Shettima. If Shettima was not interested, Zulum said he would then accept the offer; unlike Osinbajo that did not look back, even when his (former) boss had signified his intention. I did not expect him to grab the offer. It was a very grievous mistake. The performance of Osinbajo as VP and a Christian made me to conclude that the religion of the VP is immaterial. When people were raising objections to the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Tinubu/Shetima, I was not bothered. Also as a lawyer of repute, he disappointed me. Nevertheless, he has done his best. Thank God he returned home safe and sound! Welcomed by a crowd or not, he has acquired the big title of “EX-VP”! Welcome, Your Excellency! -Kola Oloye.

Dr. Tunji Abayomi described the 1999 Constitution as the fruits of a poisonous tree and urged the National Assembly to pass a law that will vest the Nigerian people with the powers to give themselves a Constitution.

Sir, don’t mind the ex-VP, Yemi Osinbajo; he was just there for eight years for himself and his family only! l do not see anything to remember him for. l pray he  sees this your write-up one day! So, the day he passes through Lagos/Abeokuta road or Shagamu/Ikorodu road, who is he going to blame or accuse of abandoning those roads? So sad that all our past leaders from the South didn’t do anything tangible there! l pray President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s case will be different for good. -PST. Austin Igharoro.

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com / 0705 263 1058), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Directo/r Editor-in-chief of THE WESTERNER newsmagazine.He writes the ON THE LORD’S DAY column in the Sunday Tribune and TREASURES column in New Telegraph newspaper. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

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The governor made the assertion while making his speech to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day and June 12, 1993 election, which was annulled by the military administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

By the immeasurable contributions of the people of the state to the advancement and survival of democracy in the pre and post-independence Nigeria, the governor said Ogun State deserved special recognition.

Abiodun described the June 12, 1993 election, which has been adjudged as the freest and fairest in the political  history of Nigeria by many analysts as a watershed in the Nigeria’s political journey, adding that Abiola remained a compass and symbol of democracy in Nigeria.

He added that Ogun State is richly blessed to have produced a personality like the late business mogul, with his enviable and enduring legacies of selflessness, doggedness, consistency and perseverance.

He added that Ogun State and indeed the entire nation and global community at large had really missed his ingenuity and brilliance.

The governor, however, lauded the quality of leadership and level of patriotism exhibited by former President Muhammadu Buhari, for reviewing June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria, noting that history would forever be kind to him for that significant pronouncement.

Abiodun, therefore, called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and political affiliations to rally round President Bola Tinubu on his journey of renewed hope as a way of rekindling the dashed hope of 1993.

He said: “Exactly thirty years ago, Nigerians, irrespective of faith, tribe or political affiliations united behind a man, Late Chief MKO Abiola, in an unprecedented free and fair election, which was later brutally annulled by suffocating military junta of those days and the rest became history.

“While we would continue to miss one of the greatest illustrious sons  of our state that ever lived, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale  Abiola, the martyr and compass of democracy in Nigeria, our solace lies in his enduring legacies of selflessness, doggedness, consistency and perseverance. Obviously, Ogun State is richly blessed to have produced such a great personality like the late Chief MKO Abiola.

“It is on that note that I commend and salute the statesmanship exhibited by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who graciously reviewed June 12 as Democracy Day; he is without doubt a man of history by that singular pronouncement.”

The governor added: “This year’s democracy day and the commemoration of the June 12, 1993  is intrinsically significant; aside the passion and euphoria of celebrating the rebirth of new Nigeria and conscious struggle to liberty, unity and freedom, it is gratifying that one of the dependable, loyal and dogged lieutenants of MKO Abiola, and ardent  proponent of the June 12 struggle, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is today the President of Nigeria.

“On our part as a government, we have changed the paradigm  of governance in Ogun  State with inclusive ideology and new order of development, in which every individual is important to our developmental agenda. We completely believe in the virtues which democracy offers. We have faith in the ability of the people to freely choose their leaders in an atmosphere free of rancour and coercion.”

Speaking at the event were several pro-democracy groups and human rights activists, who unanimously applauded the great sacrifice made by late MKO Abiola, which culminated into the present democratic gains in Nigeria and the essence of political stability since 1999.

One of them, Dr Niran Molaolu, specifically lauded Governor Abiodun for sustaining the democratic ideals and ethos the late Abiola stood for, coupled with his idea of poverty alleviation and human capital development drive.

Highlights of the occasion was cutting of cake to mark the special day and sharing of gifts among students by the wife of the governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, who was joined by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

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Prof. Abiola, through her counsel, Mr Tawo Tawo, SAN,  in her statement of claim, averred that she was framed on September 20, 22 by the defendants for allegedly assaulting Insp. Moses.

Abiola was arrested for allegedly assaulting Moses, her former orderly, for refusing to carry out menial and domestic chores at her house.

Abiola, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2370/2022 claimed that her personality and image had been irredeemably battered by the defamation and assassination of her character which had diminished her status in society.

The plaintiff averred that the alleged defamation caused her so much damage, trauma, ill-health and reduced her standing and recognition in the global society bearing in mind the fact that they had attained international reputation.

She claimed that the publication in print, electronic and social media as well national dailies by the police against her person had lowered her estimation in the eyes of right thinking members of society.

“Contrary to the defamatory statement in the print and electronic media as well as online media, I never assaulted my former orderly neither did I instruct anyone else to do so.

“Such an incident never took place in my house as there are CCTV cameras all over the street surroundings to debunk the claim.

“Contrary to the allegations, I have never asked the former orderly to carry out any domestic chores as sophisticated robot machines like Alexa are installed in the palace.

“I was never a suspect but a victim of a frame up by the defendants,’’ she said.

She added that that the acts of the defendants were libelous, scandalous , slanderous and defamatory by calling her unprintable names both in the conventional and social media.

The plaintiff also averred that she was the serving Chief Legal Consultant of the Nigeria Police adding that  she was pleading and relying on all relevant material and documents pertaining to the suit.

Prof. Abiola in her writ of summons prayed the court for a declaration that the act of the police against her caused her nightmares as she was in constant fear for her life.

The plaintiff therefore, asked the court to order the defendants to pay her the sum of N100 billion as damages.

She said the amount was for defamation, shame, ridicule, harassment, trauma, humiliation and public embarrassment meted out to her by the police.

She also asked the court for an order directing the defendants to tender an unreserved public apology in all print and electronic media.

“An order of court directing the defendants to issue a press statement retracting the assertions they made earlier.

“An order of  court directing the defendants to pay the plaintiffs the sum of N100 billion as damages for the defamation, shame, ridicule, harassment, trauma, humiliation and public embarrassment suffered by the plaintiffs.

“An order of court directing the defendants to pay the sum of N100 million as the cost of this suit.

“An order of this court directing the defendants to pay the sum of N1 billion as general damages.

“An award of 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum from the date of judgment until final liquidation of the judgment.’’

The case has however, not been assigned to a judge.

Abiola was arrested by the police for allegedly assaulting a policewoman, Insp. Teju Moses in September 2022.

She was charged to court with attempt to commit culpable homicide and the court, a Wuse Zone Six Chief Magistrates’ Court, admitted her to bail on October 5, 2022.

Source: NAN

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Tofa, 74, died on Monday at a hospital in Kano metropolis.

A brother to the late politician, Alhaji Muhammad, who confirmed the death, said that he passed on in the early hours of Monday after a brief illiness.

Muhamnad said that funeral prayer would be conducted at his residence in Gandun Albasa area of the metropolis.

The late Tofa contested against the Social Democratic Party, SDP, flagbearer, Chief MKO Abiola, in the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Born in June 1947, Bashir Tofa was also the chairman of the Kano Elders Forum and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Source: NAN

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President Muhammadu Buhari made this remark on Tuesday when he received Elders and Leaders of Thought from Ogun State at the State House, Abuja.

He described Abiola as a bridge builder.

Abiola was the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election which was adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria but was annulled by the military led by General Ibrahim Babangida.

His words:  “If MKO Abiola was allowed to rule,  the religious and tribal issues now in Nigeria would not have been as strong,  because he ran on a  Muslim-Muslim ticket, chose his deputy from the Kanuri, a minority tribe and because of his personality,  he went across Nigeria and was accepted.

“He used his resources and energy to convince Nigerians that all he wanted was a solid Nigeria and nothing else.”

President Buhari also said that he named the National Stadium, a national monument, after the late politician because he knew that the youths would want to find out why such an important national institution was named after MKO Abiola in future.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State for mobilising such a strong delegation to thank him for the gesture towards their illustrious son.

The Ogun State delegation, led by the governor, had come to thank the President for the honour done the late MKO Abiola, an indigene of the state, by conferring on him the highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) for his ultimate sacrifice in enthroning democracy.

The delegation, which presented a big talking drum to the president, also used the opportunity to solicit for the rehabilitation of some federal roads as well as other critical infrastructure in the state, which they are convinced would decongest the gridlock occasioned by the movement of consignments along the Apapa – Oshodi Expressway and improve the standard of living of Nigerians along the corridor.

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All Praise is due to GOD Almighty Who spared our lives to be present at this great occasion. We give thanks also that the democratic process has been further entrenched and strengthened.

2. Twenty years ago, a democratically elected government took over from the military in a historic transfer of political power for our country.
3. Today, we are privileged to mark the longest period of unbroken democratic leadership and 5th peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another in Nigeria.
4. Throughout the last four years, I respected the independence of INEC. I ensured that INEC got all the resources it needed for independent and impartial management of elections in the country.
5. All interested parties are agreed that the recent elections, which except for pockets of unrest, were free, fair and peaceful.
6. I thank all the people who worked for our party, who campaigned and who voted for us. I thank my fellow Nigerians, who, since 2003 have consistently voted for me.
7. Victory is your greatest reward; peace, unity and greater prosperity will be our collective legacy.

Your Excellencies, Fellow Nigerians,

8. I and Nigerians collectively must give adequate thanks to our Armed Forces, Police and other law enforcing agencies for working round the clock to protect us by putting themselves in harm’s way and defending our values and protecting our future.
9. Terrorism and insecurity are worldwide phenomena and even the best policed countries are experiencing increasing incidents of unrest and are finding things hard to cope.
10. The principal thrust of this new Administration is to consolidate on the achievements of the last four years, correct the lapses inevitable in all human endeavors and tackle the new challenges the country is faced with and chart a bold plan for transforming Nigeria.
11. Fellow Nigerians, I have had the privilege of free education from Primary school to Staff College to War College.
12. I received my formative education in Katsina and Kaduna and my higher education in England, India and the United States.
13. I have worked and served in Kaduna, Lagos, Abeokuta, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Jos and finally here in Abuja. Throughout my adult life, I have been a public servant. I have no other career but public service. I know no service but public service.
14. I was involved at close quarters in the struggle to keep Nigeria one. I can therefore do no more than dedicate the rest of my life to work for the unity of Nigeria and upliftment of Nigerians.
15. In 2002-2003 campaigns and elections, I travelled by road to 34 of the 36 states of the Federation. This year I travelled by air to all 36 states of the Federation.
16. Before and during my time in the Armed Forces and in government, I have interacted with Nigerians of all ages and persuasions and different shades of opinion over a period of more than fifty years.
17. And my firm belief is that our people above all want to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Nigerians. They desire opportunity to better themselves in a safe environment.
18. Most of the instances of inter-communal and inter-religious strife and violence were and are still as a result of sponsorship or incitements by ethnic, political or religious leaders hoping to benefit by exploiting our divisions and fault lines, thereby weakening our country.
19. And our country Nigeria is a great country. According to United Nations estimates, our population will rise to 411 million by 2050, making us the third most populous nation on earth behind only China and India.
20. We have water, arable land, forests, oil and gas and vast quantities of solid minerals. We are blessed with an equable climate. However, the bulk of our real wealth lies in Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Mining. We possess all the ingredients of a major economic power on the world stage.
21. What we require is the will to get our acts together. And our strength is in our people – our youth, our culture, our resilience, our ability to succeed despite the odds.
22. A huge responsibility therefore rests on this and succeeding Administrations to develop, harness and fulfil our enormous potential into a force to be reckoned with globally.
23. Thus far, we Nigerians can be proud of our history since Independence in 1960. We have contributed to UN peace-keeping responsibilities all over the world; we have stabilized Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and two years ago we prevented the Gambia from degenerating into anarchy.
24. Without Nigerian influence and resources, the liberation of Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and ultimately South Africa would have come at greater cost. This fact had been attested by none other than the late Nelson Mandela himself.
25. Elsewhere, Nigeria is the Big Brother to our neighbours. We are the shock-absorber of the West African sub-region, the bulwark of ECOWAS and Lake Chad Basin Commission. We can therefore be proud to be Nigerians. We must continue to be Good Neighbours and Good Global Citizens.
26. At home, we have been successful in forging a nation from different ethnicities and language groups: our evolution and integration into one nation continues apace.
27. When, therefore we came to office in 2015 after a decade of struggle we identified three cardinal and existential challenges our country faced and made them our campaign focus, namely security, economy and fighting corruption.
28. None but the most partisan will dispute that in the last four years we have made solid progress in addressing these challenges.
29. When I took the oath of office on 29 May 2015, insecurity reigned. Apart from occupying 18 local governments in the North East, Boko Haram could at will attack any city including the Federal Capital, could threaten any institution including bombing the United Nations building and Police Headquarters in Abuja.
30. Admittedly, some of the challenges still remain in kidnappings and banditry in some rural areas. The great difference between 2015 and today is that we are meeting these challenges with much greater support to the security forces in terms of money, equipment and improved local intelligence. We are meeting these challenges with superior strategy, firepower and resolve.
31. In face of these challenges, our Government elected by the people in 2015 and re-elected in March has been mapping out policies, measures and laws to maintain our unity and at the same time lift the bulk of our people out of poverty and onto the road to prosperity.
32. This task is by no means unattainable. China has done it. India has done it. Indonesia has done it. Nigeria can do it. These are all countries characterized by huge burdens of population.
33. China and Indonesia succeeded under authoritarian regimes. India succeeded in a democratic setting. We can do it.
34. With leadership and a sense of purpose, we can lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
35. Following the 60 percent drop in oil prices between 2015 and 2016, through monetary and fiscal measures, we stimulated economic growth, curbed inflation and shored up our external reserves.
36. We now have witnessed 8 quarters of positive growth in the economy and our GDP is expected to grow by 2.7 percent this year.
37. Furthermore, our external reserves have risen to $45 billion enough to finance over 9 months of current import commitments.
38. This Administration is laying the foundation and taking bold steps in transforming our country and liberating our people from the shackles of poverty.
39. First, we will take steps to integrate rural economies to the national economic “grid” by extending access to small-scale credits and inputs to rural farmers, credit to rural micro-businesses and opening up many critical feeder roads.
40. Secondly, for small-scale enterprises in towns and cities, we shall expand facilities currently available so that we continue to encourage and support domestic production of basic goods and reduce our reliance of imported goods as I will outline later.
41. For the next four years, we will remain committed to improving the lives of people by consolidating efforts to address these key issues as well as emerging challenges of climate change, resettling displaced communities and dealing decisively with the new flashes of insecurity across the country, and the impacts on food scarcity and regional stability.
42. We are not daunted by the enormity of the tasks ahead. Instead, we are revived by this new mandate to work collaboratively with State and Local Governments, Legislators, the Diplomatic Corps and all Nigerians to rebuild and reposition our country as the heartbeat and reference point for our continent.
43. Fellow Nigerians, Your Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen:
44. Despite the enormous resources pledged to infrastructure development these past four years, there remains the urgent need to modernize our roads and bridges, electricity grid, ports and rail systems.
45. Whilst agriculture and industrial output have recovered since the recession, we are more committed than ever to work with the private sector to improve productivity and accelerate economic growth.
46. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index which is the gauge of manufacturing activity in the country has also risen for 26 consecutive months since March 2017 indicating continuous growth and expansion in our manufacturing sector.
47. It still takes too long for goods to clear at our seaports and the roads leading to them are congested. It still takes too long for routine and regulatory approvals to be secured. These issues affect our productivity and we are committed to addressing them permanently.
48. Our Government will continue work to reduce social and economic inequality through targeted social investment programs, education, technology and improved information.
49. Our social intervention programs are a model for other nations. Together with state governments, we provide millions of school children with meals in primary schools, micro loans to traders and entrepreneurs, skills and knowledge acquisition support to graduates and of course, conditional cash transfers to the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.
50. A database of poor and vulnerable households is being carefully built based on age, gender, disability, educational levels for proper planning in this Administration’s war against poverty.
51. A database of unemployed but qualified youth has also been developed under the National Social Investment Programme which can be used by the public and private sectors for recruitment purposes. Cumulatively, nearly 2 million beneficiaries have received aid under this Programme apart from Anchors Borrowers Programme and School Feeding initiative each reaching 2 million recipients. And we will do more. Much more.
52. Fellow Nigerians, Your Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen, we know that there exists a strong correlation between economic inequality and insecurity.
53. When economic inequality rises, insecurity rises. But when we actively reduce inequality through investments in social and hard infrastructure, insecurity reduces.
54. The disturbing increase in rates of kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities can be attributed to the decades of neglect and corruption in social investment, infrastructure development, education and healthcare.
55. This issue is further compounded by the impact of our changing climate and ecology.
56. The ECOWAS and Sahel regions, starting from Chad all the way to Mali, are also experiencing adverse impacts of drought and desertification, which have triggered waves of human displacement; conflicts between farmers and herdsmen; terrorism; and a fundamental socio-economic change to our way of life.
57. These issues are regional and not unique to Nigeria alone. The problems call for increased regional and international cooperation in developing a sustainable solution.
58. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I will be hosting a regional security summit of heads of states in the Sahel to develop a Joint Strategy to continue our efforts in addressing these issues.
59. Fellow Nigerians, Your Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen, at the heart of inequality and insecurity, is pervasive corruption. When we took office we realised that if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back – and we have seen this at all levels.
60. For Nigeria to progress, a collective resolution to address corruption and foster broad-based prosperity is required to create a country that is not only for a few privileged, but for all Nigerians.
61. This charge is not only to Civil Servants, Ministers, Legislators and State Government functionaries, but also to Corporate leaders.
62. We shall make greater investments in our rural economies. We shall aggressively source locally our raw materials.
63. We have incentives for investments specifically made in rural communities.
64. However, nationwide development cannot occur from Abuja alone; it must occur at States. And Government cannot do it alone.
65. I therefore implore all State Governments, especially those with large rural economies, to aggressively solicit investments in your states. Invest in developing human capital, reducing bureaucracy and corruption, hosting and attending investment summits and improving the ease of doing business.
66. At this point, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entrepreneurs, investors and venture capitalists who have built or are building agro-processing projects; petrochemical plants; crude oil and solid mineral refineries; energy exploration; software development projects; telecom infrastructure; health, education and manufacturing projects; and the like, across our country.
67. I would like to make special mention to promoters of our small businesses that are proudly making goods and services for export and for local consumption. The Nigerian economy rises and falls on the strength of your investments and productivity.
68. We will continue to listen to your ideas and plans not just about how we can secure more investment, but how your plans can help create a more equitable economy.
69. I also thank the labour unions, farmer groups and associations, organized private sector and the civil society organisations for their support and cooperation with our government these last four years.
70. We will continue to count on your support, guidance and understanding during the next four years.
71. I especially thank our traditional leaders and congratulate re-elected and newly elected State Governors and members of the National Assembly. Our Government will continue to count on your support so that we can together move our country forward.
72. Fellow Nigerians, Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen, despite the challenges over the last four years, my optimism about Nigeria’s future is unshaken and Nigeria’s role in the world as an emerging economic force is without a doubt.
73. Over the next four years, we are committed to assembling a strong team of Nigerians, and allies, to implement our transformative plans and proposals.
74. We will see significant focus, resource and, where necessary reform, in tertiary and technical education to reposition Nigeria’s workforce for the modern technological age.
75. We will accelerate investments in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare programs, interventions and infrastructure as well as in upgrading of our medical personnel to stem the flight of our best trained people.
76. On food security, our farmers have made great strides in local production of rice, maize, cassava, poultry, fertilizer, fisheries and sesame. We remain resolute in supporting private sector in emphasizing backward integration and export expansion plans.
77. Felling of trees to provide energy for domestic use is taking its toll on our rain forests, our ecology and our climate. Accordingly, we are taking steps to harness cleaner and more sustainable sources of electricity. We export over 2 million tons of cooking gas, yet we consume less than half a million tons.
78. We will work to address this issue and support rural communities with challenges of safely switching from firewood to cooking gas.
79. Dedicated agro-industrial processing zones will be developed on a PPP basis to increase farming yields, agricultural productivity and industrial output.
80. Over 2,000 kilometers of ongoing Federal road and bridge projects across the country will be completed to reduce journey times and the cost of doing business. As I mentioned earlier, critical feeder roads will be built to facilitate easier transportation for people and goods from rural areas to major roads.
81. We are at advanced stages of securing investments to modernize and expand our transmission and distribution infrastructure, ensuring that electricity is available and affordable for all Nigerians.
82. Several rail, seaport and airport projects are at various stages of completion. We will open the arteries of transportation nationwide.
83. It is a fact that Nigeria has more gas reserves than it has oil. Over the last four years, we have become a net exporter of urea, which is made from natural gas. We invite investors to develop more natural gas-based petrochemical projects.
84. Fellow Nigerians, This Government will not tolerate actions by any individual or groups of individuals who seek to attack our way of life or those who seek to corruptly enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of us. We will crack down on those who incite ordinary innocent people to violence and unrest.
85. We will ensure that such actions are met with the strong arm of the law.
86. Nation building takes time. But we must take solace in the knowledge that this country, our country, has everything we require to make Nigeria prosper.
87. Fellow Nigerians, Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you to join me in this journey of rebuilding our nation.
88. Our focus will not be to help the privileged few but to ensure that Nigeria works for Nigerians of all persuasions. That is a more just arrangement.
89. As we all know, correcting injustice is a pre-requisite for peace and unity. As part of the process of healing and reconciliation, I approved the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day and invested the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe with National Honours, as I did with the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. The purpose was to partially atone for the previous damage done in annulling the Presidential elections of that year.
90. Today, I propose the re-naming of the Abuja National Stadium. Henceforth it will be called MOSHOOD ABIOLA NATIONAL STADIUM.
91. In my first term, we put Nigeria back on its feet. We are working again despite a difficult environment in oil on which we depend too much for our exports. We encountered huge resistance from vested interests who do not want CHANGE, But CHANGE has come, we now must move to the NEXT LEVEL.
92. By the Grace of God, I intend to keep the oath I have made today and to serve as President for all Nigerians.
93. I thank you for attending this august occasion from far and near, and for all your best wishes to me, to our party and to Nigeria.
94. God bless us all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The post Buhari’s 2019 Democracy Day celebration speech (full text) appeared first on Frontpageng.

His reason:  It was not achieved on a platter of gold.

Tinubu made this assertion in a special message on the occasion of the nation’s Democracy Day, June 12.

It is the first time the day is being celebrated on June 12 as opposed to May 29.

June 12 has been widely declared before now to be the appropriate day to be tagged Democracy Day.

Tinubu, emphasizing the significance of the day said Nigerians could not afford to threaten the nation’s democracy as it was achieved through loss of lives on the part of the people from the military who were unwilling to relinquish power.

His words:  “Observing May 29 as democracy day delinks the country’s democratic experience since 1999 from the protracted and bitter struggle against military dictatorship from June 12, 1993, till the forced exit of the military in 1999. Without those who stoutly stood on June 12 and sacrificed life, limb, freedom, economic ruin, psychological devastation and more in the battle against tyranny, there would most certainly not have been any May 29, 1999, handover to commemorate.

“The democracy we enjoy today was not won on a peaceful and comfortable “platter of gold”. It was not gifted to Nigerians by a benevolent military regime. It is the product of the sweat, tears, blood, pain, toil and anguish of millions of Nigerians. That is why we can never afford to take it for granted or do anything to threaten its existence.”

The full statement reads:

JUNE 12: THE TRUTH THAT SETS DEMOCRACY FREE IN OUR LAND

The power of truth to set men free from the limiting chains of falsehood and limiting superstitions is one of the most poignant spiritual verities that has proven to be valid across time and space over the last two millennia. In the realm of politics, the most fundamental truth that man has discovered is that power can be the handmaiden of progress and accelerated development only if it flows from the will of the electorate as determined in regular, free, fair and credible elections.

This is why, in spite of its many flaws and failings, man is yet to invent a form of government superior to democracy – the famed government of the people, by the people and for the people-. It is thus understandable and indeed justified that Nigerians are elated that the country has recorded 20 years of unbroken democratic rule since 1999.

Today, we commemorate the country’s emergent democracy in a way that is certainly more spiritually fulfilling and psychologically satisfying than has ever been the case since 1999. For, thanks to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the assent of the National Assembly, we are for the first time today celebrating our democracy as a nation on a historic day, June 12, which coincides with the day that the seed of today’s democratic sprouting was sown 26 years ago.

What we had been commemorating on May 29th of every year since the democratic restoration of 1999 has been the day of the handover of power from the military regime to the elected civilian administration. As important as it certainly is, May 29 does not carry the weight of significance that June 12 does in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. May 29th is at best an arbitrary date on which the military chose to hand over the reins of power to an elected civilian government in 1999.

Observing May 29 as democracy day delinks the country’s democratic experience since 1999 from the protracted and bitter struggle against military dictatorship from June 12, 1993, till the forced exit of the military in 1999. Without those who stoutly stood on June 12 and sacrificed life, limb, freedom, economic ruin, psychological devastation and more in the battle against tyranny, there would most certainly not have been any May 29, 1999, handover to commemorate.

The democracy we enjoy today was not won on a peaceful and comfortable “platter of gold”. It was not gifted to Nigerians by a benevolent military regime. It is the product of the sweat, tears, blood, pain, toil and anguish of millions of Nigerians. That is why we can never afford to take it for granted or do anything to threaten its existence.

June 12 must serve as a continual reminder to Nigerians on the imperative of pursuing the cause of justice in all spheres of our lives at all times as a necessary condition for peace, prosperity and progress. As we kick off from today the annual celebration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, let us renew our commitment to utilizing democracy as a vehicle for eliminating poverty in our land as well as providing prosperity and life more abundant for the teeming millions of our people.

It was indeed his deep aversion to poverty and the avoidable suffering of the majority of our people that compelled Chief MKO Abiola to contest Nigeria’s presidency and thus his campaign slogan was “Farewell to Poverty”. The problem of poverty remains primal and fundamental in our land today. Indeed, at the root of the severe existential challenges, which confront the country today such as religious extremism, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cultism, ritual killing, armed, robbery, communal violence and herdsmen/farmers clashes among other is the protracted economic crisis that has worsened poverty, unemployment and inequality in Nigeria over the last four decades.

It is indeed incumbent on us all, particularly those in positions of authority at all levels, to vigorously support President Muhammadu Buhari administration as it invests massively and on an unprecedented scale in the renewal and expansion of infrastructure as well as its various social intervention programmes aimed at uplifting the vast majority of our people out of dehumanizing poverty, political instability and insecurity.

We must take concerted efforts to banish poverty from Nigeria. To rid Nigeria of poverty is indeed a task that must be done. As the historic restoration of June 12 to its proper place by the Buhari administration sets democracy free to soar in our land, let us rededicate ourselves to the challenge of utilizing democracy to set Nigeria free from poverty.

God bless our fatherland.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

June 11, 2019

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