Soyinka to Buhari: You can’t honour Abiola and admire Abacha

Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent show of “admiration” for Sani Abacha, ex-military head of state.

He said Buhari cannot honour MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, while also “praising” Abacha, his (Abiola’s) “tormentor”.

Abacha jailed Abiola in 1994 after he declared himself president, following the annulment of the 1993 election by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.

At a recent meeting in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power, Buhari had said: “No matter what opinion you have about Abacha, I agreed to work with him and the PTF road we did from here to Port Harcourt, to Onitsha, to Benin and so on.”

However, speaking on Tuesday when Buhari conferred the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Abiola, Soyinka said Abacha would have been standing trial at the International Criminal Court if he was still alive.

“You cannot honour Abiola in one breath and admire his tormentor in another breath,” he told Buhari at the event which held in Abuja.

He also proposed a “hall-of-shame” award for past Nigerian leaders guilty of violent crimes against citizens.

At the event, Buhari also conferred Babagana Kingibe, Abiola’s running mate in the election; and Gani Fawehinmi, late human rights activist, with the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON). - Cable Nigeria

School principal allegedly rapes 17-year-old male student in Anambra

The principal of Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Okija, Mr Modestus Eze has allegedly had canal knowledge of one of his students (name withheld).

The act, which DAILY POST gathered took place on Sunday in the community who as a source who got information of the act reported to the police, leading to some officers storming the residence of the principal, but he fled before their arrival.

The community source told our correspondent that the principal fled from his house, after residents of the area suspected his act on the young student and decided to call in the police.

The public relations officer of the Anambra State police command, SP Haruna Mohammed, however, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, saying that a team of policemen were immediately dispatched to the home of the suspect, but he was found to have fled his home.

Mohammed said the suspect allegedly had an unlawful carnal knowledge of the student.

“The scene was visited by Police detectives attached to Okija Division and upon search, some charms and Juju deities spread with red substance suspected to be fresh blood were also discovered in some isolated rooms within the school premises.

“The victim has been taken to the hospital for medical examination,” Mohammed said.

DAILY POST gathered that rampaging youths from the community who were irked by the action of the principal had converged at his home, threatening to take the laws into their hands by burning down his house.

It took the intervention of the Divisional Police Officer and some eminent persons in the Area to restore normalcy and pacify the rampaging youths.

Mohammed, however, assured that police had intensified efforts to track down the suspect, apprehend and bring him to Justice.

He said the officers had to cordon off the scene of the crime, while also dispersing irate youths who had converged to take a revenge on the principal. - Daily Post

Ambode unveils 46-feet statue of Abiola in Lagos

Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos state governor, has unveiled a 46-feet statue of late MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The statue was unveiled at the MKO Abiola Garden in Alapere, Ketu.

Ambode said it was in the tradition of the state government to recognise and remember heroes and heroines who contributed to the greatness of the nation and the state in particular.

He added that the late Abiola deserves the best from the state as Lagos was his success story.

Referring to the fact that a statue was previously sited at the location, Ambode said that his administration decided to erect bigger statues for Abiola and Gani Fawehinmi, late human rights activist, to properly situate their immense contribution to nation building.

“There was a statue done by my predecessor, Babatunde Raji Fashola but in the divine world, some things are more glorious than what you think and so we decided at the end of 2016 that we should do bigger statues for Chief Gani Fawehinmi and MKO Abiola since almost everybody passing and entering Lagos go through this particular Ojota axis,” he said.

“And so we started late in 2016 that we should build something bigger and so it took us about a year to do this.

“By the time we did the one for Gani to celebrate his posthumous birthday on April 22, we also agreed that we should unveil that of MKO Abiola today, June 12.

“But just as if God has a way of crowning all efforts to mark the 25th Anniversary of June 12, our President, President Muhammadu Buhari has deemed it fit to give our own MKO Abiola the highest honour in the land, GCFR.

“And that is why we believe strongly that your presence here is not just for this statue but it is also historic which we would always remember in the annals of the history and politics of this country that sooner than later, there would be one day we would mark as MKO Abiola Day.

“We are very happy to gather here today at the MKO Abiola garden to unveil this statue, a monument that will forever crystallize his legacy, serves as a reminder to the greatness that Chief Abiola represents in our socio-political landscape.”

He described Abiola as a man who transcended race, tribe and religion, adding that the late philanthropist appealed to all Nigerians who voted massively for him during the 1993 presidential election.

“Sadly, he lost his life trying to secure his mandate. Even though he was from another state, Lagos was his home. And we recognize his contribution to our state and our democracy,” Ambode said.

Responding on behalf of the family, Abdul-Mumuni Abiola, Abiola’s son, thanked the Lagos state government for the honour.

“God is great. I heard about this statue six months ago and I was called to come and see it and when I got here, I saw a statue of three-storey building; this is indeed massive,” he said.

“The family of late MKO Abiola really appreciates this and we want to thank the governor.” - Cable Nigeria

Buhari apologises for the annulment of June 12

President Muhammadu Buhari has apologised for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

He also said the honour given to late MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the election, is not meant to “open old wounds”.

At an event on Tuesday, Buhari conferred Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), in honour of the late democrat.

He also conferred Babagana Kingibe, Abiola’s running mate in the election, and Gani Fawehinmi, late human rights activist, with the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON).

The result of the presidential election was annulled by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida before they were announced.

Addressing the gathering at the investiture which held in Abuja, Bubari also apologised to Abiola’s family for the decision of the then government to annul the result of the election.

“The government (of Ibrahim Babangida) inexplicably cancelled the election when it was clear who was the winner,” he said.

“On behalf of the federal government, I tender the nation’s apology to the family of late MKO Abiola, who got the highest vote [in the election], and to those that lost their loved ones in the course of the June 12 struggle.

“This event is not to open old wounds, but to put light on the nation.”

He said even though the country cannot rewind its past, “we can at least assuage our feelings, recognise that a wrong has been committed and resolve to stand firm now and ease the future for the sanctity of free elections.”

“Nigerians will no longer tolerate such perversion of justice. This retrospective and posthumous recognition is only a symbolic token of redress and recompense for the grievous injury done to the peace and unity of our country,” he added.

Abiola’s honour had generated missed reactions among Nigerians, especially at the national assembly.

Some lawmakers had said both the investiture and the June 12 public holiday is unconstitutional, while others said it is well deserved.

But Femi Falana, human rights activist and senior lawyer, faulted those kicking against the investiture, saying Buhari could honour any Nigerian “dead or alive”. - Cable Nigeria

How Benue lost N400bn to Fulani herdsmen – Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom has claimed that the state has lost over N400 billion worth of property to renewed militia herdsmen attacks on Benue communities.

Ortom made this claim while featuring on Radio Link, a Radio Nigeria audience participatory programme where he interacted with Nigerians on the achievements and challenges of his administration in the past three years.

The Governor noted that the estimate was arrived at following preliminary report of assessment of damages caused by the crisis, stressing that the loss was much and difficult to recover from.

He said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state was the peoples legislation and that no amount of intimidation or blackmail would make them repeal it, noting that he has no regret whatsoever concerning the enactment and implementation of the law.

“I have no regret. Why should I have any regret doing the will of my people? They trusted me and gave me their votes and I will not betray what they want. I am doing what they want and I have no regret,” Governor Ortom stated.

He commended his colleagues from Taraba and Abia States for keying into the ranching law, saying it was the right way to go.

He also called on Nigerians with a better alternative to bring it on the table to find a lasting solution to farmers and herdsmen crisis in the country.

The Governor challenged the Defence Minister, Dan-Masur Ali to come out and tell Nigerians why there were killings in Zamfara, his home state and other states of Nigeria like Kaduna among others where there was no anti-open grazing law, saying he was waiting for the minister to come out and apologise to Nigerians on his comments. 

“The Benue Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law originated from the people and no one will intimidate us to repeal it. What the Defence Minister is doing is encouraging anarchy and I am waiting for him to come out and apologise to Nigerians and Benue state in particular concerning his recent outburst against our law. Killings are going on in his home state, Zamfara, Kaduna and other states where there is no prohibition of open grazing. What can he say is responsible for those killings?” the Governor queried. Daily Post

Falana to Buhari: You’ve declared 1993 election result

Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, said on Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the result of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election by honouring the presumed winner of the poll, late Chief Moshood Abiola.

He urged the President to direct security chiefs to restore the rights of all Nigerians.

President Buhari had earlier on Tuesday apologized to Nigerians over the annulment of the election by former President Ibrahim Babangida’s administration.

He spoke at the investiture of national honours on Abiola and other heroes of democracy.

The President conferred posthumous national honours of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Abiola.

He also conferred a posthumous honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the late foremost human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

He decorated Amb. Babagana Kingibe, Abiola’s running mate in the 1993 election,  with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). - The Nation

Obasanjo should be jailed, Says Oshiomhole

Former Edo State governor and top contender for the office of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should arrested and sent to jail if found to have soiled his hands.

Oshiomhole spoke In a pre-June 12 event he organized in honour of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN and acclaimed winner if the June 12 1993 Presidential Election, Bashorun MKO Abiola. He dismissed reports credited to the former President that President Buhari wanted to frame and arrest him, saying when he was in power, he also arrested and detained people, thinking that he would be president for ever.

At the event, Hafsat Abiola Castillo accused the former President of betraying their father when he declared that Abiola was not the messiah Nigeria was looking for and never mentioned him once in his eight years in office as President.

Oshiomhole also praised Chief Frank Kokori for standing up to dictatorship when it mattered most, saying even though he was not President if the NLC, he mobilized oil workers to support the ideals of democracy.

Oshiomhole said Chief Obasanjo should be investigated and sent to jail if found to have dipped his hands in the pie.

He said: “Gani is not here today, but his spirit is here. Falana is here and today, I am standing. Even the president who was in charge then, he is now complaining that they want to harass him. He was harassing me and he got me arrested. He thought he himself would not be arrested?

“If I were the president, I would arrest him. We are all Nigerians. I remember one day I told him, I said ‘President Obasanjo, we made you president. You did not make me a Nigerian. You are our creation; I am not your creation. You must listen’.

“But he thought he would be in power forever and he tried to take us on the way to Zimbabwe. He was a reluctant Head of State, became president for two terms and he wanted to do a third term because a cockroach licking palm oil would never lick enough.

“I remember when I was accused by former president Obasanjo of behaving as if I was an alternate president; that I was running the NLC like a parallel government,  that I wanted to overthrow his government. A small man like me, completely powerless.

“If I am dark like this, it is because of Obasanjo’s teargas. When I now hear these same people saying they are trying to arrest them, why shouldn’t they be arrested? He should be arrested if he has committed any offence. He arrested many of us.

“So, if we are celebrating Chief Gani Fawehinmi, we have compelling reasons to do so. In all of these, we didn’t pay any money to Gani or Falana. They defended us pro bono.

“The late Abiola would be smiling not just for the honour done him by the president, but that Frank Kokori who was very young then, deployed the instrumentality of oil workers to support the progressive mission of the civil society.

“It is not the position you occupy, but the role that you play that will define your place in history. This man was never an NLC president, but he is the only unionist invited to the investiture.

“So, we just consulted among ourselves, few of us who benefited from Gani’s leadership by using the instrument of the law to confront evil leaders. At the NLC, we were so efficient at causing troubles, but too poor to procure the services of legal titans like Gani and Falana, but who would always come and defend us pro bono. So, we felt that on the eve of his investiture, we should gather and celebrate him.

“On June 12, the late Abacha asked us to tell Abiola to do a national broadcast to renounce his mandate. Pascal Bafyau advised him to take the bail conditions because he got information that the regime was ready to keep him in jail indefinitely, but Abiola said he wouldn’t mind dying, that if you are already in the river, you can no longer complain of being wet.

“Abiola died, but Abacha also died and today, Abiola’s children can go anywhere and say I am Abiola. But I am not sure of other persons”.

Speaking at the emotion laden event, daughter of the late Chief Abiola, Hafsat Costello, said some people they considered as close friends of their father abandoned them when the June 12 controversy began, only to start calling the family’s phone lines when President Muhammadu Buhari proclaimed June 12 as Democracy Day and conferred a posthumous award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic GCFR on the late democrat.

She said: “MKO had friends who seemed like friends, but they disappeared when the problems started and only started calling us when this award thing came last week. The phones have been ringing, but 25 years is enough to know your friends. I want to thank Mr Femi Falana, Prof. Pat Utomi and a few others for standing by us in the past 25 years.

“There is another story. MKO had this classmate who he used to assist even to pay his fees in school. But after June 12, he was the first person to say that MKO was not the Messiah. And he was president for eight years and couldn’t even mention MKO for once. He couldn’t honour him.

“We thank Buhari for this. He does things differently from the way the average Nigerian elite does things. If there is anything that means a lot to me, it is because MKO was true to the Nigerian people. If he had betrayed that mandate, he would have died a broken man and no amount of wealth would have made him happy.

“I have just being thinking about MKO. To have known him was to know greatness in the body of a Nigerian. MKO came from a very poor family. He used to be a singer, a drummer and boxer. People just gave him money not because this voice was good, but perhaps they just took pity on him, a destitute singer”.

Also speaking, Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s son, Mohammed said: “I am overwhelmed by this event organized in honour of my late father. It has made me to recognise that we should not always think of ourselves but of our neighbours. My father was a very unusual man”. - The Nation

Our joy, sadness over Abiola’s award – family

For the family of the undeclared winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, late Chief MKO Abiola, theirs was a bag of mixed feelings  – joy and sadness at the same time on Tuesday, over the honour bestowed on their bread winner and June 12 struggle by President Muhammadu Buhari – led administration.

The head of the Abiola  Family and younger brother of  MKO Abiola, Chief Muritala  Abiola, said they were quite but  could have been happier,  if their late brother is alive to receive the honour of  the Grand Commander of the Federal  Republic conferred on him this commemorative day of June 12, 2018.

Muritala said he was both “sad and happy.”

He made this known to reporters  at the Abiola family house at Oja Agbo, Gbagura area  of Abeokuta, Ogun State  when the state government led by the deputy governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and the Secretary to the State Government,  Taiwo Adeoluwa and many interest groups staged a ‘Democracy  Walk and Rally’ from Kuto in the city centre  to the Abiola family  house where an Islamic clerics  offered prayers for the family  and for the continued peaceful repose of the soul of MKO Abiola.

The family head lauded President  Buhari for the honour but called on the Federal Government  to do more for the family and Nigerians.

He said many Nigerians are still suffering, urging the President to act urgently and alleviate the sufferings of the people.

According to him, the federal government should take care of the immediate  family of the  late politician by giving some of his children appointments, in order to perpetuate his political and democratic legacy.

He noted that the Ogun State Government had started this by appointing one of Abiola’s children,  Hafsat Abiola-Costello as a Special Adviser on Trade and Investment.

“I will say I am both happy and sad. I am very happy today for the honour done to my late brother by President  Muhammadu Buhari. But I am sad my brother is not alive to witness the honour being bestowed on him.

“Many Nigerians are hungry; things are upside down in the country.  The roads are bad,  no job, no drugs in the hospital, people are dying. I want to appeal to President Buhari to adopt some of the policies enunciated by late MKO Abiola to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

“Though Abiola was rich but we are also currently suffering what ordinary Nigerians are suffering.

“Once more, I thank Buhari for  honouring him. However, I want to further appeal to the Federal Government to go a step further by taking care of late Chief MKO Abiola’s immediate family, by giving some of them appointments at the Federal level.

“Ogun State Government  has started  doing that, as the current administration  led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has appointed one of his children into his cabinet.  We want the Federal Government  to also do the same.  Because we want to continue  to hear that name ‘Abiola,” he said. - The Nation

Court sentences Dariye to 16 years imprisonment

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gudu, Abuja has sentenced former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Chibi Dariye to a cumulative term of imprisonment of 16 years.

Dariye’s sentence followed his conviction on 15 counts on the offences of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation. The court freed him on eight of the 23 counts contained in the charge on which he was tried.

Justice Olubukola Banjoko, in a judgment on Tuesday sentenced Dariye,  a serving All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator, representing Plateau Central, to two years for misappropriation and 14 years for criminal breach of trust.

According to the judge, the sentences are to run concurrently, implying that Dariye may end up spending 14 years in custody.

Justice Banjoko, who commended the prosecution for a job well done, said the prevalence of corruption and criminality in the nation’s public space requires drastic measures if we must curb the vices.- The Nation