A persistent concern in Nigerian politics is the emergence of a single-party system or a sole presidential candidate. Regardless of recurring anxieties, this final result has by no means materialized. Whereas latest get together defections would possibly recommend an invincible ruling get together, Nigeria’s political historical past is outlined by surprising twists. Shattered desires and shock parts are inherent to our nationwide life.
The shock ingredient is unavoidable. Sudden occasions are inescapable a part of life and technique. I’ll cite three examples in relation to a few formers leaders—Alhaji Shehu Shagari GCFR (25 February 1925 – 28 December 2018), Basic Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida GCFR (84) and Basic Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998).
After the July 7, 1979 elections throughout which, Alhaji Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari was declared Presidential winner within the polls, the NPN (Nationwide Get together of Nigeria) had 36 Senate seats, the UPN (Unity Get together of Nigeria) had 28, the NPP (Nigerian Individuals’s Get together) had 16 seats, the GNPP (Nice Nigerian Individuals’s Get together) had 8 whereas the PRP (Individuals’s Redemption Get together) had 7.
These elected on the platform of NPN then have been Alhaji A.D. Rufai, Alhaji Ibrahim Dimis, Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo Waziri, Alhaji Abdulkadir Yelwaji Saleh, Alhaji Uba Ahmed, Chief D.D. Dafinone, Chief Andrew Abogede, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr. Suemo Chia, Mr. B. Ameh Ebute, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, Alhaji Girigiri Lawan, Mr. Victor Akan, Mr. Donald Etiebet, Dr. Joseph Wayas, Mr. Iliya Audu, Alhaji Abba Ali, Mr. Jacob Madawaki, Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Alhaji Isa Abonyi Obaro, Mr. Aliyu Mohamadu Gani, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, Alhaji Jibrin Salihu, Alhaji Ibrahim Kolo, Alhaji Abdullahi Mangu, Colonel Garba Dada Paiko, Dr. O. Eberewariye, Mr. C.N. Nunieh, Mr. Amatari Zuofa, Mr. Atto Bugundu, Mr. Haruna Muza, Alhaji Garuba Gada, Alhaji Hassan Zuru and Alhaji Garba Kware.
Below the United Get together of Nigeria, these elected have been Chief John Umolu, Chief Emmanuel O. Akpata, Justice Franklin O. Atake, Mr. Gayus Gilama, Mr. Justus Olu Olabode, Alhaji Sikiru Shitta-Bey, Dr. Femi Ayantuga, Alhaji Mudasiru A.O. Abiru, Mr. Abayomi Durosinmi, Mr. Adeyiga Ajayi, Mr. Ladega Daniel Adetola, Mr. Oyero Kunle, Mr. S.O. Sogbein, Chief Jonathan Akinremi Olawale Odebiyi, Chief Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya, Chief Emmanuel Kayode Ogunleye, Mr. Michael Onukun, Professor David O. Oke, Mr. Ayo Fasanmi, Professor Banj Akintoye, Chief Ayoola Adeleke, Dr. Christopher Ilori, Mr. Ademola Adegoke, Dr. Christopher Adeoye and Mr. Olalere Adesina.
On a private be aware, one among them, Chief Ayoola Adeleke from Ede was the daddy of the current Osun state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
He was the Vice Chairman of the then Senate Committee on Labour. I cannot overlook his common provide of bitter kola to me throughout his senate years.
These elected for the NPP have been Prince Onyeabo Obi, Dr. Offia Nwali, Chief B. C. Okwu, Chief N. Nathaniel Anah, Mr. Isaiah N. Ani, Mr. Bardi Joe, Mr. Emeka P. Echeruo, Dr. Elijah E. Emezie, Dr. Jaja Nwachukwu, Chief Tony Anyanwu, Mr. Simeon Ojukwu, Mr. Garba Matta, Mr. John Wash Pam, Mr. George Hookwap, Mr. Francis Ella and Dr. Obi Wali.
The elected Senators for the GNPP have been Alhaji Idrisa Kadi, Mr. Bukar Sanda, Mr. Jafaru Manga, Mr. Umaru Lawan Bama, Mr. George Daniel, Prince Joseph Ansa, Pastor Luka Zanyazing, Mr. Bitrus B. Kajal and Alhaji Mahmud Waziri whereas the PRP Senators have been Alhaji Ibrahim Barau, Alhaji Adamu Gaya, Alhaji Ahmed Zakari, Alhaji Hamisu Musa, Alhaji Usman A. Dambata and Alhaji Sabo B. Zuwo.
Within the gubernatorial election, the next have been elected on the platform of NPN. They have been Alhaji Tatari Ali (Bauchi), Alhaji Shehu Kangiwa (Sokoto), Chief Melford Okilo (Rivers), Anwal Ibrahim (Niger), Alhaji Adamu Attah (Kwara), Dr. Clement Isong (Cross River) and Mr. Aper Aku (Benue).
As for the UPN, the next have been elected as governors. Chief Bisi Onabanjo (Ogun), Chief Bola Ige (Oyo), Chief Ambrose Alli (Bendel), Chief Adekunle Ajasin (Ondo) and Alhaji Lateef Jakande (Lagos). As for the NPP, there have been three governors, specifically, Chief Jim Nwobodo (Anambra), Chief Solomon Lar (Plateau) and Chief Sam Mbakwe (Imo). As for GNPP, that they had two governors, Alhaji Abubakar Barde (Gongola) and Mohammed Goni (Borno) and the PRP had two, specifically, Alhaji Balarabe Musa (Kaduna) and Abubakar Rimi (Kano).
Within the Home of Representatives, NPN had 168 seats, UPN had 111 seats, NPP had 79 seats, PRP had 47 whereas GNPP had 44 seats.
Amongst these elected in 1979 was Alhaji Sule Lamido (77) PRP, who represented Barnin Kudu within the then Kano state. On July 30, 1993, as Nationwide Secretary of SDP, he was a kind of who signed the tripartite Committee doc that created the Interim Nationwide Authorities.
Nearly forty-six years later, he amongst others, remains to be round. Additionally nonetheless round is Chief Tajudeen Olusi (89) UPN, who represented Lagos South within the Home of Representatives. He’s at current Chairman, Governance Advisory Council in Lagos state. Additionally nonetheless round is my good friend, Peter Olayemi Obaoye, who represented Irepodun Constituency in Kwara state.
Nonetheless, the sport modified after the Presidential and Senatorial elections of August 20, 1983. The NPN elevated its Senatorial seats to 60, thereby gaining 24 extra seats, whereas the UPN lowered its personal to 16, thereby dropping 12 seats and the NPP misplaced 4 seats thereby decreasing its seats to 12. As for the PRP, it misplaced 2 seats thereby decreasing its seats to solely 5 and the GNPP misplaced 6 senatorial seats.
Within the Home of Representatives election, the NPN gained 138 extra seats thereby growing its power to 306, the UPN misplaced 60 seats thereby dropping to solely 51 seats whereas the NPP misplaced 30 seats decreasing its power to 48. As for the PRP, it misplaced 8 seats and lowered its power to 41 whereas the GNPP misplaced all its 43 seats and had no seat in any respect.
Within the gubernatorial election, the next have been elected. As for UPN, Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Kwara State, Senator Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, Ogun state, Chief Bisi Onabanjo and Ondo state, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin.
Chief Cornelius Adebayo, born February 24, 1941 died just lately and was buried at Oke Onigbin in his hometown of Kwara state. He was a mild man. I knew him in 1979 throughout his senate years and our friendship lasted until he died. I visited him final at his residence at Mabushi in Abuja. His dying pained me. He turned lonely after the dying of his spouse, Elizabeth Funmilayo Ibiwoye.
As for NPN, the next have been elected, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (Gongola), Alhaji Tatari Alli (Bauchi), Mr. Aper Aku (Benue), Alhaji Lawal Kaita (Kaduna), Chief Christian Onoh (Anambra), Dr. Omololu Olunloyo (Oyo state), Chief Melford Okilo (Rivers), Alhaji Garuba Nadama (Sokoto), Alhaji Muhammed Anwal Ibrahim (Niger), Chief Donald Duke Etiebet (Cross River state), Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia (Bendel state) and Alhaji Asheik Jarma (Borno state).
Below PRP, Alhaji Sabo Barkin Zuwo was elected in Kano state, whereas Chief Samuel Mbakwe was elected in Imo state and Chief Solomon Lar was elected on NPP platform in Plateau state.
Thereafter speculations turned rife that Nigeria was heading for a one-party state. There have been celebrations within the NPN camp. I bear in mind visiting the home of Alhaji Umaru Dikko, the then highly effective Minister of Transport, in Ikoyi Lagos, together with my good friend, Alhaji Usman Muktar of the NTA, Alhaji Dikko made a boast then, that very quickly, “the NPN will swallow all different events”.
Then got here the morning of December thirty first, 1983, the announcement by Brigadier Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) on that day terminated the try of getting a single get together within the nation. The miliary took over and Main Basic Muhammadu Buhari GCFR (17 December 1942 – 13 July 2025), by no means had a political programme till he too was overthrown by Main Basic Ibrahim Babangida (84) GCFR in August 1985.
Following the submission of the political bureau made up of S.J. Cookey (Chairman), E. O. Awa, A. D. Yahaya, Haroun Adamu, Ibrahim Halilu, Pascal Bafyau, Oye Oyediran, Tunde Adeniran, Sam E. Oyovbaire, Bala Takaya, O.E. Uya, Sani Zaharadden, Mrs Hilda Adefarasin, Mrs R. Abdullahi, Ola Balogun, Edin Madunagu, Abdullahi Augie (Government Secretary), the then Head of State, Basic (rtd.) Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida GCFR on October 7, 1989, decreed two political events for the nation. They have been the Social Democratic Get together (SDP) and the Nationwide Republican Conference (NRC).
In an tackle to the nation, Basic (rtd.) Ibrahim Babangida introduced that the AFRC has accepted the rules of grassroots democratic two-party system. He declared then “It’s our perception that the system shall: (a) present a grassroots foundation for the emergence of political events (b) set up a grassroots or mass platform for the emergence of recent management (c) give equal rights and alternatives to all Nigerians to take part within the political course of regardless of their wealth, faith, geo-political backgrounds {and professional} endeavours (d) de-empasise the function of cash in politics (e) scale back, to a minimal degree, the ingredient of violence in our electoral course of (f) preclude the emergence political alliances alongside the identical traces as within the First Republics and, subsequently, give Nigerians a brand new political construction inside which to function.
(g) make sure the emergence of a brand new, extra devoted and extra real management cadre, which won’t be a mere proxy for previous political warlords (h) chart a brand new sample of political recruitment participation which can improve Nigeria’s stability (i) set up sturdy tutorial constructions which not solely maintain future governments, but additionally be sturdy sufficient to face the take a look at of time and (j) set up a political system that can be operated in keeping with the spirit and letter of the Structure of the Federal Republic”.
In his speech to the nation, Basic (rtd.) Ibrahim Babangida additional declared “the 2 political events shall be funded by the Federal Army Authorities. No monetary contributions by any people or teams to half treasury shall be permitted at this stage.
NEC shall clearly specify the mechanism for fund elevating by political events at a later stage within the transition programme. Our choice to construct political workplaces can now quiet down to those buildings and conduct their respective enterprise. They are going to be spared the ‘hostage politics’ of the previous whereby individuals loaned out premises to a political get together and used that reality to entry, affect and patronage.
All accounts of every get together shall be audited earlier than and after the primary elections by exterior auditors appointed by NEC— at native, state and nationwide ranges of the 2 political events. The AFRC strongly believes that our monetary contribution to the events at this stage is an important funding sooner or later political stability of our nation.
Get together conventions shall be held after the registration train. Such conventions shall be held on the ward, native authorities, state, and at last, on the nationwide ranges in that order. The conventions shall (a) elect officers of the get together at related ranges (b) focus on and recommend to NEC for onward transmission to the AFRC, any amendments to the draft constitutions and manifestos. (c) set up modalities for fund-raising throughout the NEC pointers on fiscal contributions to political events and (d) set up methods for campaigns, inside NEC pointers”.
In his tackle on the Armed Forces dinner of 1990, Basic (rtd.) Ibrahim Babangida mentioned “our political goal is to make sure that we disengage in 1992, by which period we might have, no less than, established the bottom work for a profitable take-off of a brand new political order that can present justice, equality and social upliftment for the generality of Nigerians. The political system we try we try to create is one which has been labored in Nigeria by Nigerians for Nigerians”.
The identical Basic Ibrahim Babangida terminated the Presidential election of June 12, 1993. The annulment put an finish to the experiment of getting a two-party system in Nigeria. The establishing of the Interim Nationwide Authorities in 1993 lastly nailed the coffin on the two-party construction.
Should you invite ten Nigerians to a social occasion, the chance is that, ten of them will put on ten totally different sorts of clothes. That sums up who actually, we’re. We Nigerians are totally different individuals with totally different backgrounds, pursuits and contradictions. And that extends to our political system.
Basic Sani Abacha seized energy in a palace coup in November 1993. Below Basic Sani Abacha, the principle decision-making organ was solely the army Provisional Ruling Council (PRC), which dominated by decree. The 32-member Federal Government Council composed of army officers and civilians. Pending the promulgation of the Structure written by the Structure Convention in 1995 and subsequently accredited by the Head of State, the Authorities noticed some provisions of the 1979 and 1989 Constitutions.
The decree suspending the 1979 Structure was not repealed and the 1989 Constitutions weren’t applied. In 1995, Basic Abacha introduced a transition timetable designed to return the nation to democratically elected civilian authorities by October 1, 1998.
The Authorities continued to implement its arbitrary authority by the Federal Safety System (the army, the state safety service, and the nationwide police) and thru decrees blocking motion by the opposition within the courts. All branches of the safety forces dedicated critical human rights abuses.
All through his tenure, Basic Abacha’s Authorities relied repeatedly on arbitrary detention and harassment to silence its many critics. The winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, remained in detention on prices of treason, and unidentified individuals murdered Abiola’s senior, Kudirat, spouse below mysterious circumstances.
In September 1996, 39 individuals have been reported useless within the Northern cities of Kaduna and Zaria after police tried to interrupt up demonstrations protesting the detention of Muslim Cleric and spiritual chief, Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky.
Joseph Kporok, a 30-year-old Motion for the Survival of the Ogoni Individuals (MOSOP) activist, was arrested after a dispute along with his mother-in-law over land. As soon as in custody on the Rivers state inside safety process drive headquarters, Kporok was interrogated about his MOSOP affiliation and crushed. He was then transferred to state police headquarters in Port Harcourt the place he died. 26-year-old Kenneth Nwokoye was crushed to dying by uniformed officers who arrested him after raiding and looking his home.
Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, an outspoken politician and profitable businesswoman, was crushed and shot by armed males who invaded her house in Ibadan. Regardless of brutal calls for for “ransom”, nothing was taken from the Adedeji house. Dr. Alex Ibru, Writer of THE GUARDIAN, one of many nation’s main unbiased each day newspapers, was shot and completely injured by gunmen.
The 1979 Structure (suspended) and the 1989 Structure (by no means applied) prohibit torture and mistreatment of prisoners and supply legal sanctions for such excesses. The Proof Act of 1960 prohibits the introduction of proof obtained by torture. However, detainees ceaselessly die whereas in custody, and there have been credible reviews that police looking for to extract confessions repeatedly tortured and beat suspects and that interrogators beat and almost tortured to dying convicted “coup plotters”. The authorities reportedly tortured convicted “coup plotter” and TSM journal editor in chief, Mrs Chris Anyanwu whereas in detention, and so they beat Bunmi Aborishade, editor of the defunct June 12 weekly, when he was arrested.
Throughout this era, Bishop Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi (95) of the Akure Anglican Diocese, raised his voice consistently in opposition to the abuse of energy by Basic Abacha. Bagaudu Kaltho of TELL MAGAZINE, was kidnapped by unknown individuals. He was by no means seen until this present day.
Early within the Abacha regime, Lagos state governor, Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola, shaped the Lagos State Environmental Job Pressure as a part of its “conflict on indiscipline and corruption”. Below Colonel Oyinlola’s direct supervision, the duty drive used brutal drive on people in its try and rid Lagos of unlawful road merchants and copious amassed rubbish. For essentially the most, the Authorities neither acknowledged nor denied that these abuses occurred and left their perpetrators unpunished. Nonetheless, the brand new Lagos state governor, Colonel Buba Marwa acknowledged that there have been abuses and mentioned he would attempt to curb them.
The Authorities launched a number of outstanding detainees earlier than the Commonwealth Ministerial Motion Group was set to fulfill in London to contemplate points together with extra sanctions. The authorities held Dr. Tunji Abayomi, chairman of the Founder’s Council of Human Rights Africa and Basic Olusegun Obasanjo’s lawyer, initially detained in July 1995, till June; Fred Eno, an aide to M.Okay.O. Abiola, from August 1994 to June; and Abdul Oroh, govt director of the CLO from July 1995 to June. Chief Ayo Opadokun, Basic Secretary of NADECO, who had been detained since October 1994, was launched June 25, 1996, solely to be rearrested the next day and held in detention with out cost till November 2. Expectations that the releases would possibly presage actual human rights enhancements weren’t fulfilled, as the federal government continued its insurance policies of arbitrary arrest and detention, together with the December arrest and detention of prodemocracy activist Dr. Fred Fasehun and former presidential candidate and NADECO supporter Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye.
A number of main labour and prodemocracy activists who have been arrested in 1993 remained in detention, together with M.Okay.O. Abiola and Frank Kokori, Basic Secretary of the Nationwide Union of Petroleum and Pure Gasoline Employees (NUPENG). Safety forces arrested Milton Dabibi, who was Basic Secretary of the Petroleum and Pure Gasoline Senior Workers Affiliation (PENGASSAN) earlier than the federal government dissolved the chief construction of the union and put in a sole administrator.
By1997 and 1998, M.Okay.O. Abiola remained in jail regardless of a November 1994 ruling by the Kaduna Federal Hight Ciourt of Enchantment granting him bail on the situation that he would “not disturb the peace”. In Might 1995, eight Supreme Court docket justices, together with Chief Justice Mohammed Bello, withdrew from listening to the case due to a libel swimsuit that they had pending in opposition to Abiola’s Harmony Press, successfully suspending hearings on Abiola’s attraction till new justices have been named to the courtroom. Abiola’s trial on treason prices remained suspended indefinitely on orders from the regime.
There have been no identified cases of pressured exile as a way of political management, though a number of NADECO members, together with former Senator Bola Tinubu, retired Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, and elder statesman, and senior NADECO determine, Chief Anthony Enahoro reside in self-imposed exile. Different activists resembling Owens Wiwa, brother of executed minority rights activists Ken Saro-Wiwa, and his spouse Diana joined them.
In apply tribunal continuing typically deny defendants due course of as within the trial earlier than the Ogoni Civil Disturbances Particular Tribunal of Ken Saro Wiwa and others for his or her alleged roles within the killings of 4 outstanding Ogoni politicians in Might 1994. On October 31, 1995, the Tribunal introduced responsible verdicts and dying sentences for Saro-Wiwa and eight different activists. The PRC “confirmed” this choice on November 8, 1995, and rapidly executed all 9 on November 10, 1995. In that case, the Authorities refused to adjust to a tribunal order to supply a videotape recorded on Might 22, 1994, with Rivers state governor, Lt. Colonel Dau
