₦airaland Forum

I feel disgusted by these kinds of threads. The motive behind them is clear. Smh.

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[quote author=Akanbi_edu]@naptu2

I think you need to open a thread about Abiola to enlighten those of us who are interested.[/quote]The unfortunate thing, which I've been emphasising on this thread, is that we don't keep records (I'm also guilty. Last year, while moving house, I threw away my large newspaper collection). Much of what I type here is from memories of interviewing people, newspapers, documentaries, etc, but I do not have the hard copies!

It's almost impossible to find a 1995 edition of punch,mm newswatch, new nigerian, tell, etc online.

Broad-based Movement

The military has tried to portray the pro-democracy forces as simply ethnic compatriots and supporters of Abiola from the Yoruba-speaking southwest. But the campaign is in fact much wider, and includes Nigerians of all ethnic groups and religions. Most stress that their priority is support for the democratic process as such, not the political candidacy of one man.

The campaign thus includes not only political supporters of Chief Abiola, but also a range of human rights groups which have long been active in demanding electoral democracy and respect for civil rights. Although Abiola is a Muslim, both Catholic and Protestant church groups have made strong statements calling for the results of the June 1993 elections to be honored.

National organizations representing Nigeria's doctors, university teachers and staff, and students have all actively campaigned for the release of political prisoners and recognition of the election results.

Political opponents of the regime, including many elected officials whom the military had dismissed from their posts, came together in May this year in the National Democratic Coalition. The Campaign for Democracy, which spearheaded the demonstrations leading to Babangidas resignation last year, is the largest coalition of independent pro-democracy groups.

Dozens of smaller groups operate both inside Nigeria and among the large Nigerian expatriate population in the United States and Europe. While there are many organizational and political differences among them, there is virtually universal agreement on the demands that the military step down and that the election results be recognized.

On July 4, 1994, the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG) went out on strike, including among their key demands a hand-over of government to the civilian winner of the June 1993 election. Oil accounts for over 80% of Nigeria's export earnings, and the strike was extremely effective for two months. NUPENG's white-collar counterpart, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, joined the strike, along with a number of unions associated with the national Nigerian Labor Congress.

The military eventually broke the strike, arresting key officials such as Frank Kokori, NUPENG's general secretary, and suspending the leadership of the two oil unions and the Nigerian Labor Congress. Most workers returned to their jobs, but discontent remains high.

In September government harassment of the press reached new levels when three leading newspapers, the Guardian, the Concord, and the Punch, were banned for six months, leaving over 1,500 media workers unemployed. All three had published critical news and opinion, and had been closed down on earlier occasions. But the new degree even mandated sealing of the premises, making it impossible to continue even minimal operations.

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Govern_Political/nigra_dem.html

Former South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, on Saturday night in
Abuja dedicated his Pan African Broadcast Heritage Award (PABHA) to the memory of the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential
election Chief M.K.O. Abiola, whom he described as a great Nigerian.

Mandela, who was represented by the South African President, Mr. Thabo
Mbeki, currently on a visit to Nigeria, described how he first came into
contact with the Abiola.

He said President Ibrahim Babangida sent Abiola to mediate and talk to
Mandela to reconcile with a sworn enemy of the African National Congress
(ANC), who then was working against the interest of the party's success
at the poll.

Mbeki did not name the "sworn enemy" of the ANC, but said the late
politician had since become their friend. He said when Abiola arrived,
he (Mbeki) tried to get the message from Babangida, but refused,
insisting that he must deliver the message to Mandela personally. Mbeki
said he then took Abiola to Mandela to personally deliver Babangida's
message.

Mbeki said Abiola later told a story of the black ant to describe how
dangerous the "sworn enemy" was to the ANC.

He said though the black ant was small, it could wreak much havoc if it
had access to one's clothing. He quoted Abiola as saying that it was easier to take care of the black ant than to allow it to wreak havoc.

The South African President explained that the message from Abiola made
the ANC reconcile with the "sworn enemy".


"the bigger the head, the bigger the headache" - Chief MKO Abiola.

"you cannot shave a head in the absence of its owner and any such attempt is an exercise in futility". Chief MKO Abiola

"power is like a tiger, if you ride a tiger, you must be very careful when you get down, otherwise you find yourself inside the tiger's belly". Chief MKO Abiola

"Anyone afraid of death cannot claim his father's title and once you have claimed your father's title, you have become the object of envy of all the members of the family, many of who will pray for your early demise to provide a vacancy for them". Chief MKO Abiola

Demonstrations in the east stopped after, while responding to government propaganda, some yoruba politicians claimed that Nigeria was against the yoruba race. Prior to this claim, the struggle was nationwide (even in the north).

brainpulse: Nobody is born saint we all have our dark sides and good times. But remember this was the first time Nigerians were called nigerians , when demostrators in the far north, east, west and south came all out to fight and face the mouth of the bullet irrespective of their religious affiliations or our history books being sunk by the boat of corruption and greed or are all our elders dead. I believe some of us were not kids during the june 12 era.

+1000

All these arguments reinforce what I wrote up there. We keep having these debates (Did Abiola sink a bible-laden ship? Did Abiola steal godknowswhat from godknows who? Did Abiola say he didn't need Igbo votes? Did Abiola sponsor Babangida's coup? Was Abiola a national/regional leader, etc?) Because we have not examined his life. In most cases, people are relying on rumours, sentiments, etc.

I wonder, how many people typing here have ever watched Abiola's speeches and how many can remember a specific speech?

Abiola, just like anybody else, had his good and bad sides, I believe it's time we examined them and learnt from them (based on facts, video & audio tapes, books, etc).

Billyonaire: Truth be told. Abiola is dead, God rest his soul, naming stadium after him will not change a thing. I will only advise Tinubu to be half as philanthropic as MKO was, instead of engaging in sectional politics and dining with the very military dictators that silenced his MKO.

Aha! This is very close to my view.

I'm not really for naming physical structures after him. I'm much more interested in what we can learn from his life. Naming the national stadium after him, although it would be fitting because it was his idea to have an Abuja home for the Super Eagles, but it won't teach the younger generation about MKO. I would favour a research center, a book, documentary, etc that would x-ray his life. MKO, like every human being, had his good and bad points. It'd be good if we can learn from them. Eg

1) He was known for his philanthropy, providing scholarships and bursary to students across the country, building schools and health centres, donating to churches and mosques, etc. How can we use this to inspire the younger generation to give to the needy?

2) He ran one of the best football clubs in Nigeria. In the mid 1980s Abiola Babes and Leventis United (John Mastourodes/Leventis) were the in form teams. If you hear accounts of their FA Cup final matches, you'd wish you were there. Then there was a documentary where he explained why he disbanded Abiola Babes. The issues he raised have not been addressed. Today, almost all the club sides in the premier "professional" league are sponsored by government. How can we bring back private investors?

3) Chief Abiola led the campaign that reparations should be paid to African countries and the black community in the diaspora for the years of slavery, just like Germany paid reparations to Israel for the holocaust. The campaign died after his imprisonment. We can honour him by examining the merits and demerits of his arguments.

4) Chief Abiola ran humongous companies (Berec was another name for battery in the 70s and 80s). He had Abiola Farms, OT Africa lines (with Dokpesi as CEO), Concord Press, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil, Habib Bank, Abiola Bookshops, Radio Corporation of Nigeria (RCN), Decca Music Label and many more. Through his businesses he brought many Nigerians to the limelight. Why don't we examine his business model.

5) He preached religious harmony, often quoting from the bible and the koran. He was honoured by the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. He built churches and mosques and often spoke about how he was influenced by the reverends at Baptist Boys High School. He often said both the christian and muslim prayers at events. In this age of religious intolerance, isn't there something we can learn from this?

6) Chief Abiola won votes in every part of the country, because he associated with people from all parts of the country. He was as popular in the north as he was in the south. He was as popular in the east as he was in the west. In these days of ethnic bigotry, isn't there something we can learn from this?

7) Chief Abiola was said to have sponsored the August 27th 1985 coup (I believe this is true, but don't ask me why I think it's true), is there something we can learn from this? Can't we learn how to prevent businessmen and politicians from inciting soldiers to stage coups?

Chief Abiola often peppered his speeches with amazing proverbs and parables (and also quotations from the koran and bible). Where are the video clips of those speeches?

And many more. I think commissioning books, documentaries, symposia, etc about his ideas would be a better way to honour him.

Can you, without researching, off heart, name one structure named after Martin Luther King.

Then, using the same process, can you remember any of his speeches? Did you read the speech in a book, or did you get it from a video or audio clip?

afam4eva: Even Awolowo that was a sectional leader has a street in Abuja, so Zik having a street named after a capital of Nigeria at that time is no biggie. Also remember that he was a Lagos politican at some point.

How was Herbert Macaulay a divisive figure?

1) That's what I'm saying, it's also no biggie if Abiola has a structure in Abuja (eg, National Stadium Abuja, which was MKO's idea [research into the Presidential Committee on Abuja stadium, which was inaugurated circa 1991]) named after him.

2) Find out about Dr Henry Carr, Sir Adeyemo Alakija, Sir Kitoye Ajasa and many other's opinion of Macaulay.

afam4eva: Nnamdi Azikiwe also had a national mandate and he was probably the most nationalistic leader in Nigeria's history but the Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Stadium in Awka and Enugu respectively were named after him. MKO is not the founder of Nigeria neither did he rule Nigeria at anytime. He was just a victim of circumstance and that does not in any way make him a hero. We should be honouring people like Herbert Macaulay who in my view is the most under-honoured leader in Nigeria's history.

While I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with Tinubu, you should remember that Nnamdi Azikiwe Street was the major road in Lagos up until the late 70s. Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport is also the gateway to Abuja.

(By the way, I share your view that Macaulay should receive greater recognition, though you should remember that he was also a divisive figure in his time).

Everybody has a say in a democracy. However, you would need to petition your representatives in government (members of national assembly, state assembly, ministers, etc) if you want to have your way.

Remember, it's government of the people, by the people and for the people. It's not a dictatorship. (The people are the government).

Every Nigerian should have a say. That's what democracy is about (everybody has a say, majority has their way).

Part of the propaganda broadcast (and planted in newspapers).

1) Do not go out on the streets and protest. While you and your children will be arrested or killed for protesting, the politicians' (Abiola) children will be at home and they can easily flee the country while you rot in jail (this was partially successful).

2) Why should you protest against the annulment of June 12 elections? SDP elections were annulled and life continued. President Shagari was overthrown and life continued. What's so special about June 12? (This failed)

3) How can you support a man with so many wives. Christianity prescribes that you should have only one wife, while Islam prescribes 4 wives. (This was partially successful).

4) The June 12 struggle is a Yoruba struggle. How come they didn't complain in 1983 and 1992? (This was very successful. Chief Abiola won elections across the country, but he was in exile by the time the government spun this angle. Yoruba politicians fell for this trick and reacted by saying the country was not fair to yorubas and was victimising yorubas. They proclaimed that northerners wanted to rule for ever. People across the rest of the country were shocked! We stood in the sun and rain to vote for Abiola. We protested against the annulment. However, if you believe we are not being fair to you and that it's a yoruba struggle, then you can carry on the fight alone. This was how the military divided the June 12 campaigners).

5) How can you elect a muslim - muslim ticket? They will islamise Nigeria (this failed).

6) Chief Abiola is corrupt. How can you elect a corrupt man as president? (This was partially successful)

People should remember that, and ask themselves why Chief Abiola won votes from right around the country. Christians voted for him, even though he and his running mate were muslims. He defeated Tofa in Tofa's own constituency. He won in the east, even though Chief Iwuanyanwu was campaigning against him. This was the first time the whole country supported a candidate, regardless of his ethnic or religious affiliation. This would not have happened if he was an ethnic or religious bigot.

Yet, afterwards, the military government's propaganda machine went into overdrive (remember that all the broadcast stations at that time were government owned and newspapers were regularly being shutdown).

Go through the wikipedia article on Chief Abiola and read how he donated towards construction of 121 mosques and churches. You'll also see a picture of Chief Abiola and the head of the Bulgarian Church. Read below.

Moshood Abiola sprang to national and international prominence as a result of his philanthropic activities. The Congressional Black Caucus of the United States of America issued the following tribute to Moshood Abiola:[6]

Because of this man, there is both cause for hope and certainty that the agony and protests of those who suffer injustice shall give way to peace and human dignity. The children of the world shall know the great work of this extraordinary leadeand his fervenmission to right wrong, to do justice, and to serve mankind. The enemies which imperil the future of generations to come: poverty, ignorance, disease, hunger, and racism have each seen effects of the valiant work of Chief Abiola. Through him and others like him, never again will freedom rest in the domain of the few. We, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus salute him this day as a hero in the global pursuit to preserve the history and the legacy of the African diaspora.

From 1972 until his death Moshood Abiola had been conferred with 197 traditional titles by 68 different communities in Nigeria, in response to the fact that his financial assistance resulted in the construction of 63 secondary schools, 121 mosques and churches, 41 libraries, 21 water projects in 24 states of Nigeria, and was grand patron to 149 societies or associations in Nigeria. In this way Abiola reached out and won admiration across the multifarious ethnic and religious divides in Nigeria. In addition to his work in Nigeria, Moshood Abiola was a dedicated supporter of the Southern African Liberation movements from the 1970s and he sponsored the campaign to win reparations for slavery and colonialism in Africa and the diaspora. Chief Abiola, personally rallied every African head of state, and every head of state in the black diaspora to ensure that Africans would speak with one voice on the issues.

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha had testified tha Chief Abiola requested for and was given a Koran, Bible and writing materials. Below is an excerpt from Zadok's testimony at the Oputa Panel (he explained how Abiola died).


"The Chief Security Officer Major hamza Al-Mustapha ordered me to give Chief MKO Abiola Koran and Bible for reading and I used to collect some money from the Chief Security Officer to buy some newspapers and magazines for the chief to read, and also give the chief some plain sheets for anything he might wish to write

http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/nmwpg1abioladeath.htm

An entirely false story. Chief MKO Abiola worked hard to promote religious tolerance in Nigeria. He was proud of the fact that he was educated at a missionary school (Baptist Boys High School) and would often quote from the Bible, the Quoran and proverbs in his speeches. He donated a lot of money to churches and mosques. While in detention in Abuja, he requested for and was given a Bible, a Quoran and sheets of paper to write on.

People should remember that Chief Abiola was involved in partisan politics in the early 1980s and early 1990s. When you get involved in partisan politics in Nigeria, your opponents would spread rumours/negative stories about you in order to discredit you (the Babangida and Abacha regimes actively spread propaganda against him).

[quote author=Ejiné]I think there's a new spam robot in here that goes by the name of StarrMatthieu. All this guy posts are:

"It is amazing!"
"Thanks for sharing"
"I very much agree with your point of view"
"Good job"

And the time intervals between the posts look really suspect.

https://www.nairaland.com/StarrMatthieu/posts

You might want to look into that and take the necessary actions.[/quote]And also the two posters below

Murphy7h4
https://www.nairaland.com/murphy7h4

Lisa1
https://www.nairaland.com/lisa1

Read more revelations from the Human Rights Verification Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel), click here. http://www.nigerianmuse.com/nigeriawatch/oputa/

How they killed Abiola, by Zadok

His security officer in custody (Friday, 20th July, 2001)

By Kayode Matthew & Lemmy Ughegbe, Vanguard

 

ABUJA — THE last moments of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola were relived publicly for the first time yesterday by the man who should know: Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Theodore Bethnel Zadok, who for the two years preceding the chief’s death was in charge of his security and welfare in government custody.

He was testifying at the Oputa panel sitting in Abuja where former DMI boss, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo also alleged massive looting of public funds by top officials of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Regime.

Zadok in his evidence-in-chief at the hearing of the petition by Abiola’s first son, Kola and physician, Dr. Ore Falomo, related how he was apparently handed away from Chief Abiola, and by the time he returned to him, he had been offered tea, only to be dead a few minutes thereafter.

Reading from a prepared text, the police officer said: "I was posted to head the detention base of Chief M. K. O. Abiola with about thirteen (13) body guards under me. and since the day I took over the duties of the detention camp of Chief M. K. O. Abiola I was responsible for collecting the sum of N800,000 (Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) quarterly from Major Hamza Al-Mustapha to the commissioner of police FCT command Abuja for his feeding. That is three times a day subject to what he wanted to eat. I also took care of his health by seeing the Doctor any time he complained of any illness. In view of this he never ate any food or drank any thing without me tasting it first before giving it to him to eat or drink.

"I always collected some money from the Chief Security Officer Major Hamza Al-Mustapha to buy toiletries, fruit drinks, bedding and water.

"The Chief Security Officer Major hamza Al-Mustapha ordered me to give Chief MKO Abiola Koran and Bible for reading and I used to collect some money from the Chief Security Officer to buy some newspapers and magazines for the chief to read, and also give the chief some plain sheets for anything he might wish to write. My lord, Chief MKO Abiola never believed that I was a Security man who came to guard him, but a son who came to take care of his father. I will like to support this statement with a written note, written to me by Chief MKO Abiola.

"Before General Oladipo Diya’s coup attempt, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, on the 10th of December, 1997 ordered me to take Chief MKO Abiola to any safe place, preferably the commissioner of police guest house at Wuse. And after the said failed coup attempt Major hamza Al-Mustapha ordered me to move Chief MKO Abiola from the commissioner’s guest house to Kado Housing Estate popularly known as Jeremiah Useni Housing Estate Kado.

"On the 8th day of June 1998 the day the Head of State General Sani Abacha died the chief Security Officer Major Hamza Al-Mustapha ordered me along with Lt. Ikilama to move Chief MKO Abiola from Kado Housing Estate to Gado Nasko Barracks and from there all the 13 body guards attached to me were withdrawn except the driver and leaving the soldiers of the Guards Brigade to take over the guard.

But I was still left behind to be bringing food to Chief MKO Abiola as usual from the police officers mess Wuse Zone 7. Chief MKO Abiola was informed of the death of General Sani Abacha and the appointment of General Abdulsalami Abubakar as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. he wrote letters to general Abdulsalami Abubakar and the service Chiefs gave them to me to Photostat them for him. He gave me some copies to give to Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and passed the rest to the respective owners. After the expiration of the second quarter allocation of N800,000 (Eight Hundred Thousand naira) I approached Major A. S. Aliyu Chief Security Officer to General Abdulsalami Abubakar to collect the money for the next quarter. He only told me he had heard me.

"On the day in question, the 7th Day of July 1998 at about 11.30hrs, the Chief Security Officer to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Major A. S. Aliyu called me on the radio set, asking me to see him in his office. I then proceeded to his office and he instructed me to bring Chief MKO Abiola to Aguda House for an interview to be held by 1300 hrs.

"I then went back to the base and informed Chief MKO Abiola of the interview and he asked me whether Major Hamza Al- Mustapha was aware of the said interview. I told him didn’t know because Major Hamza Al-Mustapha was busy handing and taking over but I would see if I could locate him to inform him.

"He asked me to bring his dresses which he would wear and also asked me to give him 30 minutes to enable him get dressed. At about 1230hrs the Chief Security Officer to general Abdulsalami Abubakar Major A. S. Aliyu came to the base. To the best of my knowledge, that was the first time he knew that place, wanting to know if we were ready and I replied him almost ready. As we opened the door the Chief was already waiting for us. Together we went out and headed to Aguda House, venue of the Interview".

"Before we all left the base, chief MKO Abiola was in sound and healthy condition. He did not complain to me of any illness. About 100 metres from the door stand of the Aguda House, the controller from the control room called me on the radio set and said, I quote, "30 BRAVO your LOG I answered ALFA GOLF UNIFORM DELTA ALFA, HOTEL. And he said MAIG SYRIA GOLF from the OSCAR FOXTROT FOXTROT OF CHARLIE OSCAR GOLF SYRIA you should ROMEO PAPA TANGO to see the subject INDIA MIKE MIKE I answered RECEIVED."

Meaning 2i/c Prescort your present location. I answered Aguda House and he gave the message from the office of the Chief of General Staff and that you should see the Chief of General Staff Admiral Mike Akhigbhe immediately please and I answered noted please.

"As we arrived at the Aguda House door step, I led Chief MKO Abiola inside the house and I took permission from the Chief Security Officer to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Major A. S. Aliyu in whose custody I left Chief MKO Abiola.

"He asked me to use his vehicle, leaving my vehicle at the door step where it was parked. I then took his vehicle as entrusted and left to see the Chief of General Staff Admiral Mike Akhigbe at about 1310hrs and I came back from seeing Admiral Mike Akhigbe at about 1350hrs, only to discover that my vehicle was not there at the parking spot. On arrival, I saw one of my Body Guards Sunday Pada standing by the side of the door. I asked him where they had gone. He replied me they were inside and that the Chief Security Officer only sent my vehicle to Aso-Clinic and as I was about to enter the room, I met with the Chief Security Officer, Major A. S. Aliyu who told me that Chief MKO Abiola was not feeling fine and after taking a cup of tea he coughed and feel down.

"I quickly went inside and I saw Chief MKO Abiola lying on the floor facing down. I called him. for the first time he answered, and I lifted him up and turned him upside and called him again for the second time he did not answer. At that time doctor Sadiq Sani Wali from Aso Clinic arrived and about examining the chief. I told him we should rush the Chief to the clinic for proper treatment. Myself, the Chief Security Officer, Major A. S. Aliyu, Doctor Sadiq Sani Wali and the two white men standing lifted Chief MKO Abiola into my vehicle outside for onward movement to Aso-clinic.

Before getting to Aso-Clinic I saw Dr. Sadiq Sani Wali pressing his (Abiola’s) stomach up and down a kind of resuscitating him. As we arrived the clinic, Chief M.K.O. Abiola was rushed to the Emergency Room where I stood by with the doctors including the two white men and the Chief Security Officer Major Aliyu until when Dr. Sadiq Sani Wali later confirmed to us that Chief M.K.O Abiola was dead.

"We came out of the Emergency Room and the Chief Security Officer Major A. S. Aliyu phoned the villa, I heard him saying to the ADC please, connect me to the Head of State I have an important message for him. For about three minutes they continued the discussion with the Head of State while he was moving towards his vehicle outside. So I didn’t hear what he was discussing with the Head of State. After the phone call, we both left for the villa,

"The questions to ask are:

Who gave Chief M.K.O. Abiola tea in my absence?

Who tasted the tea before giving it to him?

And in whose presence was the tea tasted?

"The questions are for the Chief Security Officer to General Abdulsalam Abubakar; Major Aliyu to answer. And I want to testify before this Honourable Commission that on the 6th day of July 1998 at about 2200hrs Kola Abiola the son to late Chief M.K.O. Abiola his step mother; and about three of his sisters were with their father at Aguda House until 0130hrs of 7th July, 1998. I want to say categorically here that his father Chief M.K.O. Abiola was in a sound and healthy condition.

"Based on the statement made to the Commission by Femi Falana on the 5th day of July 2001 that Chief M.K.O Abiola was driven from Kano State to Abuja where he said that the Chief fell inside the Black Maria four times before arriving Abuja is totally false, because to the best of my knowledge Chief M.K.O Abiola was never detained out of Abuja.

"On the 28th day of July 1998, I collected, from the Commander Brigade of Guards, Gado Nasko Barracks, the late Chief M.K.O Abiola’s property and handed them over to Alhaji Babagana Kingibe on the 31st day of July, 1998 who ordered his orderly Sergeant Mustapha Gana to check, sign and collect the property from me and he, Babagana Kingibe, made a contact call to the family of Chief M.K.O. Abiola to come forward and collect the said property.

After his evidence-in-chief, he was then cross examined by Mr. Femi Falana.

Falana: You said you were not retired, you were not posted and yet you have been on salaries. Since when have you been receiving salary without rendering services to this station.

Zadok: Since August 1 1998 on the day the personal assistant to the former Inspector General of Police, Superintendent Udi, informed me in the villa that two officers from force CID Lagos were in the villa and that I should submit their names at the gate for them to see my OC. I submitted their names. When they entered, they told us they were taking over from us, without any written letter. I did not know that Major Aliu was aware of it. We were moved out of the villa without any document. Since August 1 1998 I have not worked in any police formation.

Falana: Were you close to Abiola in detention?

Zadok: Yes I was close to him.

Falana: What ailment did Abiola complained to your about?

Zadok: He complained of his high blood pressure.

Falana: You said on June 8 1998 your bodyguards were withdrawn and soldiers took over the protection of Abiola.

Zadok: Yes.

Falana: Did he write letters that you knew of while in detention?

Zadok: Yes, he wrote condolence letters to Mrs. Yar’Adua when General Yar’Adua died. Also when General Abacha died, he wrote condolence letter to Mrs. Abacha to be forwarded to General Abdulsalami Abubakar for vetting as he said two heads are better than one.

Falana: Do you know the contents of the letter?

Zadok: No, the letters were always sealed.

Falana: Is Major A.S. Aliu still in the army?

Zadok: Yes.

Falana: Were you with him when Commonwealth Sec. Gen. Emeka Anyaoku held a meeting with him?

Zadok: Yes I was there. They all took photograph together.

Falana: Had this ever happened before?

Zadok: No, it never happened before during his detention.

Falana: the photograph was to let everybody know that he was hale and hearty.

Zadok: Yes.

Falana: Was it to your knowledge that a foreigner was allowed to give food or drink to a detainee in Nigeria?

Zadok: To the best of my knowledge no foreigner had ever done this.

It was my duty to taste any food or drink before giving it to Abiola.

Falana: When Abiola was given tea to drink was that the first time you never tasted anything given to Abiola to take?

Zadok: Yes it was the first time.

Falana: You normally tasted food or drink before you gave it to Abiola to prevent any harm done to your subject?

Zadok: Yes.

Falana: So, you were tricked to go and see Admiral Akhigbe?

Zadok: Maybe.

Falana: When you left Abiola with Major A.S. Aliu, you were confident that you were leaving him in the care of a competent person.

Zadok: Yes.

Falana: After his death what happened to his property he left in detention?

Zadok: I have a copy of the list of his property. I handed over his property to Ambassador Baba Gana Kingigbe who immediately called Abiola’s family to inform them that Abiola’s property were with him and they should come for them.

Falana: US official Dickering later addressed a press conference to say Abiola died of national cause.

Zadok: Yes.

Falana: Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo said the day Abacha died, Bamaiyi said Abiola must also be killed is a similar way to balance equation.

Zadok: Yes, I heard it.

He was asked why he did not inquire from Major Aliu who gave tea to Abiola and he replied, "Major Aliu was the overall security office in charge of Abiola’s detention. I did not have the gut to ask him. Who gave Abiola tea and whether it was tasted before giving it to him.

"Chief Abiola need to keep photocopies of his letters in his Bible and Koran. I did not have the time to go through them. But if the commission requests for them it will assist this commission greatly.

At the end of Zadok’s testimony, Mr. Falana requested the commission to order the IG to give full protection to Zadok.

Gen Sabo also testified yesterday in respect of Chief Abiola’s death.

Led by his counsel, Mr. Umar Shinthien, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Sabo’s evidence ran thus:

Shinttien: Brigadier-General Sabo, you told this commission in Lagos that apart from what you said then on Chief Abiola’s death, you have more to say.

Sabo: Yes I still have a lot more facts on Abiola’s death. I will also tender some documents here before this commission, while I will take the rest documents to Akanbi’s anti-corruption commission.

Shinttien: Tell this commission other facts you know.

Sabo: I said earlier that on June 8 1998 many things happened from the sublime to the ridiculous. The sublime has to do with the death of former head of state, General Sani Abacha while the ridiculous was on the threat to Abiola’s life. I said in Lagos that General Ishaya Bamaiyi called me after General Abacha called me after General Abacha death and asked me where was Chief Abiola, I said I didn’t know, that Major Al-Mustapha was the one keeping him. General Bamaiyi then told me don’t you think that now that General Abacha is dead, Chief Abiola should be similarly killed to balance the equation? I looked for Major Mustapha and told him what Bamaiyi has said. I later learnt that Bamaiyi had told Mustapha the same thing because Mustapha told me he had been looking for me for the same purpose.

Major Mustapha in his evidence gave certain indicators on how General Abacha died and how Chief Abiola died. He said Abacha choked, jerked and foamed before he died Abiola also choked, jerked ,foamed and died. Sinde Bamaiyi used the word similarly, I think Abacha’s family should be interested in this because both died the same way.

Shinttien: When General Bamaiyi told you this and Mustapha confirmed he was told the something, what did you do?

Sabo: I advised that Abiola’s location should be changed and he said he had done that.

Shinttien: Did you attend late General Abacha burial in Kano.

Sabo: No I didn’t go because of the security of Abiola that was being threatened.

Shinttien: What happened after late General Abacha’s death.

Sabo: After Abacha’s death, there was a lot of clamouring as to who would succeed him. General Jeremiah Husseni was there clamouring to succeed Abacha and there were others. Then myself, General Magashi and Bamaiyi then met and decided that instead of deliberating on who would succeed General Abacha, succession by hierarchy should be followed with General Abdulsalami Abubakar as the head of state, General Bamaiyi, Chief of Defence Staff and General Magashi as chief of army staff, this was arrived at in order to shut out any bickerings. We then called General Abdulsalami for a meeting of the PRC. It was an extra-ordinary PRC meeting because it was not scheduled.

Shinttien: Did you inform General Abdulsalmi Abubakar of the threat to Chief Abiola’s death?

Sabo: Before General Abdulsalami Abubakar was sworn-in as head of state, we all went to the villa where the body of the late head of state was lying and I told General Abdulsalami that General Bamaiyi suggested that since Abacha died, Abiola must also be killed. But General Abubakar said when they return from Kano, we would discuss further. He refused to do anything after he came back from Kano. I sent a message to him through AVM Idi-Musa that I wanted to see General Abdulsalam on the same issue but he refused to see me. I passed the information to Idi Musa that it was urgent and Idi Musa told me General Abubakar would listen to me when he returned from South Africa. He refused to see me until I was retired on July 10 1998, three days after Chief Abiola’s death.

Shinttien: Did Major Mustapha know the whereabouts of Chief Abiola at this time.

Sabo: Mustapha did not know Abiola’s whereabouts because he was arrested and detained. And since Mustapha was now out of the way, Abiola was open to any other person.

Shinttien: Is it normal for a detainee’s guard to be sent away and given tea in his absence?

Sabo: It is not normal and this is an indication of what happened later.

Gen. Sabo also alleged massive financial misdeeds by the Abdulkareem Abubakar government, saying:

"Before General Sani Abacha’s death there were bickerings from people including General Abdulsalami Abubakar that they were not being given any welfare. General Abubakar accused the service chiefs that they were the ones that had the resources but he did not have anything there was a time he asked Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim to give him N1 million urgently but Ambassador Ibrahim said he didn’t have the money. And when Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar became the head of state, he was relieved of his appointment.

"When General Abdulsalami came to power, he exhibited an accumulated and accentuated thirst for money. I stumbled on some documents and video cassettes even while in retirement.

"There was the case of $40 million contributed by multinationals for General Sani Abacha’s transmutation to civilian president. I gave the cassette of his disclosure to help him clean the system not knowing that he would use it to clean me out of the system because three days later I was arrested. I urge the commission to investigate this money contributed by multinational towards Abacha’s self-succession.

"There was also the case of Engineer Buba Galadima, Director of NMA whom General Abdulsalami Abubakar directed to release N5 billion from the NMA to the minister through Chief Hope Ozodinma. But Galadima refused saying it was beyond his power to do so. That same afternoon, a lorry load of soldiers invaded his house managed him and took him to an unknown destination. He was ordered to put in his letter of resignation so as to look as if he resigned voluntarily but he refused and asked General Abubakar to fire him. He was fired and he was given two hours to vacate his official quarters.

"The N5 billion was to be shared like this: "1.35 to be given to the minister, Chief Hope would be given N265 million and $18 million would be given to General Abubakar. I have documents to prove this (He than tendered the documents).

"There is the issue of the printing of new naira denominations, of 100, 200 and 500. I shared Mustapha’s opinions on this which he explained in his testimony that it was a booby trap for President Olusegun Obasanjo to fail. I have 13 documents to prove this which I shall tender, before this commission.

"When General Abacha was alive the idea of the printing of new naira denominations was mooted. Three companies bided for the contract - J.B. of Munich; Thomas & Co. Of London, and Bodous of Germany. They all submitted their quotations. They all agreed on $30 per one thousand pieces but General Abacha said it was too much. The agreement was not sealed before his death. When General Abdulsalami came on board, he said it should be printed at $45 per thousand. G & D was given the contract of printing and here was the company reputed for tax evasion. The company has offices in Germany, Greece, Spain, Belgium, Argentina and other places, but only has a liaison office in Nigeria. The company evaded tax to the tune of 2 million Dutch marks in Germany. This is the same company given the job to print the money I commenced investigations into the activities of this company but General Abubakar ordered me to stop it. All these were known to him.

"The NTA in its news at 7 and 9 p.m. on January 11, 2001 reported that a container load of fake naira notes was discovered in Jos and Maiduguri. This is what I am talking about.

"During Abdulsalami’s time, our soldiers in ECOMOG were not treated well at all. General Victor Malu then ECOMOG Commander once had cause to complain of adulterated fuel sent to them. When the contract for the supply of food to our soldiers was changed, it was given to one lady, I will mention her name later.

When General Abacha was alive 45 dollars was approved a day for each of our soldiers but when Gen. Abubakar came to power he increased it. But instead of giving them the money, they were given the old rate, where is the balance?

"There is the issue of parting gift to each PRC member. N1 million was agreed as parting gift for each PRC member or 500,000 dollars. I inquired from two PRC members later differently. I asked them jokingly that I learnt you were all given ½ a million dollars as parting gift. Where is my own share now? But they told me it was only 50,000 dollars. So what happened to the remaining 450,000 dollars per each PRC member times the total PRC members?

Before General Abacha died, he left a foreign reserve of 9.7 billion dollars. There are papers to show this. But Abubakar claimed that only 7.17 billion dollars was left in the reserve what happened to the balance? This reserve that Abacha accumulated in five years, Abdulsalami depleted if in nine months.

"Eagle Square here in Abuja was being renovated yearly when General Oseni was FCT Minister. Consultants were appointed for the renovation at N230 million. But General Abdulsalami rejected this and opted for upward review of N2.3 billion as against N230m.

"Also through 59 million dollars he siphoned from government coffers he bought a house in London at 5 million pounds renovated it at 1 million pounds.

"Before General Abacha died he approved 66 million Dutch marks for the maintenance of Alpha jets and other aircraft. When Abubakar took over he wrote another memo for the sum of 44,275,000 dollars for the same maintenance. I would have wished he was here to cross check if this signature on these documents were his.

"There was also another memo from the CGS dated March 17 1999 at the injury time of the administration. There was request for the purchase of boats at 45 million dollars, purchase of amphibious plane at 21,747,660 dollars; and 5,000 rain coats jacket to cost 14,500,00 dollars. The normal cost of one rain coat to pocket were from rain is 45 dollar per piece and the total cost for the 5,000 rain coats should be 2,9000 dollars. It was signed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar to be purchased on ECOMOG issue, apart from the naval personnel that used to transport the food items, it was later given to merchant ships.

"There is the issue of Engineer Ibrahim Ali, MD of NPA. General Abubakar called him one day and told him since General Abacha did not give you free hand to do your duties, bring your quotation and I will give you the wherewithal to execute it. He brought it to Abdulsalami. He met Alhaji Gidado Idris, former Secretary to the Federation there. Abdulsalami approved it for execution but when Ali left Abdulsalami ordered Gidado Idris to fire Ali when Gidado wanted

to refuse, he told him that if he didn’t do it somebody else would do it and that was how he was fired.

Shinttien: What did all these mean with respect to Chief Abiola’s security.

Sabo: All these were to show that as Chief Abiola was to show that as Chief Abiola was in the custody of Abdulsalami, if Abiola was released, he would be demanding for his mandate and this will be unconducive for him to loot the country’s treasury. General Abubakar should appear before this commission to explain ,what happens to the depletion of the economy.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar set a booby trap for Obasanjo’s administration, I am not saying this to curry favour from President Obasanjo. Let us not deal only on the past of the late head of state.

Shinttien: In what other way to your knowledge has the General Abdulsalami Abubakar reduced the military to what it is now.

Sabo: Another way which General Abdulsalami siphoned money is the task force for the armed forces and the police.

On December 31 1997, N21, 270, 292,50 was disbursed to the armed forces and the police, I am not convinced the money was used judiciously, I have documents to authenticate this.

There is also the issue of N80m water project which was discarded by General Abdulsalami. He re-awarded it for 20 million dollars while 10m dollars was collected upfront. I am sure the balance was also given. I am not sure whether the water project was executed.

http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/nmwpg1abioladeath.html

Na wao! This CPC suporters would hv killed me yesterday, no see threat oooo. Even after forcing underaged voters on me they wanted me to give them the remaining ballot paper to thiumb print. Thank God for the police and am happy i could stand for God and my nation. To all corps members who stood despite these threats esp. In the north bravo! Nigeria! Our change has come.

(The last post of Ukeoma Aikfavour on facebook, an NYSC Corps member that lost his life in Bauchi following post election violence)

According to previous reports, he went to the club the previous saturday (or friday) in his car, which has a customised number plate. He then used the same car to go to church on sunday morning and that's when he was kidnapped.

Operators want Abuja airport shutdown.

Monday, 11 June 2012 08:47 SADE WILLIAMS

Against the backdrop of incessant power outages at Abuja airport, which resulted into the diversion of international flights at the weekend to Lagos and Malabo, airline operators yesterday called for immediate construction of a second runway at the airport to accommodate the growing traffic.
The airline operators, who spoke through Muhammed Tukur, its secretary general, who also lamented the situation of runway light-out at the airport, also asked Federal Government to shut the airport rather than “endangering the lives of the people.”

The ongoing maintenance at the airport, according to the operators, has led to the shortening of the runway from its original 3, 600 metres to 3, 200 metres, and just last week further reduced to 2, 200 - a situation that makes it not too long enough for wide-body aircraft like the B747, A340, A330 and B777.

Speaking with BusinessDay, Tukur said internationally, when airports or an important place at the airport was undergoing repairs, as claimed by the Federal Government, the airport should be shut down, especially in the case of a runway.

One of the operators of a foreign airline said that a Lufthansa aircraft with passengers could not land on Friday and decided to land in another airport following the power outage at the airport coupled with the shortening of the runway.

The inability of most of them to pick their passengers gave them no option than to lodge them in hotels in Abuja and Frankfurt, because of the dislocation it caused to their passengers.

For those who were trying to connect their flights from all over the world on the Frankfurt-Abuja-Frankfurt flights also suffered considerably, while the carriers had to cough out additional costs on accommodation for passengers.

Tukur explained that the operators, including foreign carriers, were worried over the loss incurred, warning, “If care is not taken, they will end up crashing planes, saying there was no issuance of Notice to Air Men (NOTAM) to inform them of the terrible situation of the runway as a result of the ongoing repairs.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/news/76-hot-topic/39315-operators-want-abuja-airport-shutdown

Exclusive: Obodo says kidnapping an inside job.

Posted: 2012-06-11 14:58

Nigeria and Udinese midfielder Christian Obodo is relieved finally to reunite with his family and friends after his kidnapping, but exclusively tells KickOffNigeria.com that it was an 'inside job'.

Obodo was kidnapped on Saturday morning on his way to church at Effurun, near Warri, but rescued on Sunday night around Isoko, on the outskirts of the town.
 
He spoke exclusively to KickOffNigeria.com for the first time of the entire experience.

"I couldn't believe it. I was on my way to church and I had just parked my car when six boys, very young boys, just came to me and started ordering me to come with them.
 
"I told them to take it easy, that I would do what they say, and they took me to their car, blindfolded me and drove away. I asked where we were going, and they said Port Harcourt, then Benin, then Asaba.
 
"Instead, when they took off the blindfold, we were in a forest. That night, I slept on the ground.
 
"But they were very nice to me. They didn't touch me. They didn't take any of my jewellery or wallet or anything else. We were just talking like old friends. They assured me that nothing would happen to me.
 
"I even prayed with them.
 
"Then the next morning, they started to move again. It was later that I discovered that it was because the whole state had been covered by security operatives. They told me all the roads, even the rivers and creeks were being watched by security."
 
It was during his conversation with the kidnappers that he was told that someone close to him was involved.

"They said it was somebody close to me who set everything up. Someone that I have been helping. They said the person told them I would be in that church by 8am that morning. I couldn't believe it. But they asked how they would know my movement to go and wait for me there. I didn't know what to say."
 
Most kidnappings take at least a week to resolve, but one day was all it took in this case, and Obodo played his part.
 
"Five of them left to go and get the money, leaving me with one of them. But he later said we had to leave this place because the area was being monitored. He told me to promise him that I would not shout or run away. I told him I'd been cooperating since they took me and since they had promised to release me that day, I would do what he said.
 
"When we got to the town, he got a call informing him that two or three of them had been captured.
 
"I heard the other one telling him to take me back and tie me up in the forest.
 


"At that point, I told myself I wasn't going back into that forest. So I told him that it's possible his people wanted to betray him, that they may have taken the money and run. I asked him to let me call my people to find out if the money had been picked up.
 
"He agreed, but said he did not have credit on his phone, so we would have to walk back into the village to buy airtime.
 
"As we were walking back to the village, we saw a group of people sitting around, so we stopped to ask for a recharge card. They said they didn't have it there.
 
"He now said we should move on to the next place. At that point, I pushed him and started running and screaming that I am Chris Obodo and that they should help.
 
"The people immediately gathered. Luckily, they also had some vigilante people around, they call them Black Beret, and they came and got me.
 
"The police were also nearby, because they had been tracking them through the phonecalls. That was when I started crying and giving thanks to God. That is how I got out."
 
Despite the trauma, Obodo says he has no immediate plans to stop returning home to Warri: "It won't stop me from going to Warri. That is where I have lived all my life. I'm a Warri boy and it's not like I go out anyhow.
 
"Whenever I come home, I play football, three-a-side, in my compound with my friends, I don't go out clubbing like I used to when I was much younger, so why should I stop coming?"
 
He did, however, admit that the experience will leave scars.
 
"When something like this happens, you learn a lot. It opened my eyes to a lot of things."
 
Obodo said he is grateful for the groundswell of support. "I just want to thank everybody. My family got a lot of calls, a lot of support, and we just want to thank everyone."
 
The midfielder is now a guest of Delta State governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who has now ordered round-the-clock security for him for the duration of the player's vacation in Nigeria. 



"I just want to thank everybody. My family got a lot of calls, a lot of support and we just want to thank everyone" - Christian Obodo 

Colin Udoh

http://www.kickoff.com/news/28881/nigeria-and-udinese-midfielder-christian-obodo-speaks-about-kidnapping-ordeal.php

The 2008 thread https://www.nairaland.com/209286/picture-aso-rock-anyone-got