SUNDAY MUSINGS: All About NUON, Lai Balogun, Obasanjo, Abacha, Afenifere & YCE
Mobolaji E. Aluko
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SUNDAY MUSINGS: All About NUON, Lai Balogun, Obasanjo, Abacha, Afenifere &
YCE
by
Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD
Burtonsville, MD, USA
Sunday, December 17, 2000
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Introduction
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It is amazing how my deep archives reveal subtle truths from facts.
I have been reading with astonishment the goings-on at the Oputa
panel in Nigeria (more on that at a future date), and also been
cleaning my basement lately, arranging by date my many documents on
Nigeria that have been scattered therein. But in my usual manner, I
tarry to read some of them - old Newswatch, TheNews, TSM, TELL,
Nigerian newspapers editions, and I end up spending little time doing
exactly what I meant to achieve, which is to make my basement cleaner
and my documents arranged in chronological order.
In one such fruitless exercise, I happened on the following March 13, 1995
Newswatch magazine article, as well as another TheWeek article of the same
date.
I wish I could say "Enjoy them!", but there is grief and sadness as they
bring to mind this week's terrible assassination of Chief Layi Balogun,
distinguished architect, well-known Nigerian and Yoruba son. Nevertheless,
I am certain that you will read the articles with "Oohs" and "Aahhs!", and
one sincerely hopes the Chief Balogun's murder is not a shot across a
bough.
I have annotated the articles appropriately.
Have a good Sunday.
Bolaji Aluko
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AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY: Bringing The Various Yoruba Groups Together
is Still a Tall Order
by Wale Akin Aina
Newswatch, March 13, 1995; pages 18-19
EFFORTS BY OLUSEGUN Obasanjo, former head of state, to forge a united
front among southern Nigerian politicians continued last week, but are
still being hindered by the lack of agreement between the National Unity
Organization, NUO, led by Obasanjo, and the Afenifere, the pro-democracy
political association with a large support base in the western part of the
country. [SEE NOTE 1.]
Obasanjo, together with prominent members of his organisation, met with
Afenifere group recently at the Owo, Ondo State, home of Adekunle Ajasin,
former governor of the state and leader of the group. It was the first
formal meeting between leaders of the NUO and the Afenifere since the
south/south dialogue, initiated by the Obasanjo group, began about three
months ago with the meeting January 2 of the NUO and prominent Igbo
leaders at the Avutu, Imo State, home of Sam Mbakwe, also the former Imo
State governor. The first meeting between the Afenifere and the NUO
failed last January 25. Obasanjo failed to show up in Owo, and Ajasin had
to leave for Abuja to meet with Sani Abacha, the head of state, over the
continued detention of Moshood Abiola, unofficial winner of the annulled
presidential election of June 12, 1993. Obasanjo, however, claimed it was
Bola Ige, a prominent member of the Afenifere, who called off the meeting
[SEE NOTE NOTES 2. But see also NOTE 5, a TheWEEK article also of March
13, 1995, detailing Obasanjo's trip to the North.]
Lai Balogun [SEE NOTE 3], a former presidential aspirant and member of the
NUO, said the meeting, two weeks ago, was basically to discuss how the
Yorubas will "put their house in order." He added that the meeting focused
on the closing of the ranks among the Yorubas, but noted: "We should
realise that one or two or several meetings will not solve all our
problems."
Newswatch learnt that the meeting between Obasanjo and the Afenifere group
lasted for more than three hours and sources said that Obasanjo received
"the political bashing of his life." Ajasin was said to have kicked off
the meeting by praising the efforts of the former head of state in seeking
to unite southern politicians. But sources told Newswatch the atmosphere
became charged when younger elements of the Afenifere subjected Obasanjo
"to a lengthy bout of inquisition." According to the sources, Obasanjo
was asked what his political ambitions were, but was said not to have
given satisfactory answer to the Afenifere group. The sources added as
the heated discussions progressed, Obasanjo was told the he was the
problem of Yoruba and of Nigeria. It was at this point that Obasanjo was
said to have left the meeting. The sources added: "It was obvious that
the younger ones had no respect for him."
Balogun said last week that Obasanjo might have had a rough deal at the
Owo meeting. He said that though the meeting started well with
discussions on the possibility of forming a Yoruba Elders' Council [SEE
NOTE 4], but discussions lost focus. He said: "This was as a result of
the rumour mongering on the actions or inactions of Obasanjo." He said
that the meeting dwelt on many events of the past. Balogun said that
dissenting voices at the meeting based their opposition to Obasanjo and
the NUO purely on what they had read in the newspapers and magazines.
"There were based on mere suspicion. Obasanjo, therefore, explained
himself and showed proof and witnesses to buttress his arguments," he
said. But obviously the majority of the Afenifere members were not
impressed. The issue, Balogun admitted, was "one of lack of trust for
Obasanjo and his group." Newswatch learnt that this was largely due to
the perceived role of Obasanjo in the resolution of the political logjam
caused by the annulled election and the detention of Abiola. Balogun said
last week that Obasanjo explained his role before, during and after the
annulment of the election. Balogun lamented that "there are Nigerians who
water down or dismiss other people's contributions and achievements. This
is what happened in the case of Obasanjo."
But it appears that the lack of trust is not one-sided. Members of the
NUO seem suspicious of the agenda of the Afenifere leadership. In pushing
a case for the establishment of a Yoruba Elders Council, Balogun said a
small clique of people should not continue to hold the Yorubas to ransom.
He said that the council should consist of elders like Ajasin, HID
Awolowo, Adeniran Ogunsanya and prominent traditional rulers. He added,
"When they come together, they will be able to form a consensus among
Yoruba." Balogun said that at the present, Yoruba consensus is in the
hands of the "AG (Action Group) and the UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria) that
form the Afenifere group. Such a group cannot guarantee the unity of the
Yoruba, especially through the resurrection of old parties."
Nevertheless, the release from detention of Abiola still tops the agenda
of the Afenifere and the National Democratic Coalitioin, NADECO. Last
week, government again indicated that it was still willing to discuss the
possible release of Abiola from detention and of Abacha negotiating with
him the resolution of the political crisis. At the meeting of the
Afenifere January 25, the members had impressed it on Ajasin that the
release of Abiola from detention was a pre-condition for negotiations with
government. The message was passed to Abacha by Ajasin and Anthony
Enahoro, a pro-democracy activist, the first time the NADECO team met him
It was also at that time that Abacha, according to sources, gave Enahoro
the go- ahead to meet Abiola. But the security operatives detailed to
arrange the meeting were said to have bungled it. They drove Enahoro
"through the length and breadth of Abuja" for over one and a half hours
without locating where Abiola was kept. Enahoro was said to have angrily
demanded that the meeting be called off. Newswatch learnt last week that
the last initiative two weeks ago was at the instance of the government.
According to sources, Abacha wanted to make up for the aborted meeting.
Now that the NADECO group has met with Abiola, it remains to be seen when
the proposed meeting between Abiola and Abacha will take place.........
Reported by Dotun Ladipo and Kolarele Sonaike
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NOTE NUMBER 1
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Ironically, the date of this Newswatch edition was March 13, 1995,
traditionally dated a week AFTER it is released for sale. Obasanjo was
ARRESTED by the Abacha government on March 13, 1995, suspected of being
part of a coup plot; his trial began June 8, 1995; he was sentenced (along
with 39 others) July 14/15 1995 to life imprisonment; undetermined
commutation announced by Abacha October 1, 1995 and commutation to 15
years in prison confirmed October 10, 1995. Abacha died June 8, 1998, and
Obasanjo was released one week later by Abacha's successor (Abdusalam
Abubakar) June 15, 1998. MKO Abiola died three weeks later, July 7, 1998
Obasanjo became elected civilian president of Nigeria May 29, 1999.
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http://www.patweb.com/amnesty/poc/arrest.htm
Write for Obasanjo
Amnesty International Group 75 writes on behalf of Olusegun Obasanjo--
former Nigerian head of state. He was imprisoned in 1995 by the
military...
Circumstances of General Obasanjo's Arrest
General Obasanjo was arrested in Lagos in 13 March 1995 and charged with
concealment of treason. He was convicted along with 42 others in secret
military trials and sentenced to life imprisonment. His sentence has since
been commuted to 15 years. There has been no evidence submitted to support
the charges against General Obasanjo. It is believed that his efforts to
rally non-violent opposition within Nigeria through the National Unity
Organization were perceived to be a threat to the government's position
nationally and internationally.
----
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Urgent_Action/APIC_Obsanj.html
Obasanjo and Others Feared in Additional Danger, 06/22/'95
Obasanjo and other opponents of Nigerian Military Government Feared in
Additional Danger
Lagos newspapers reported Thursday, June 22, that Nigeria's former
military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo and his chief deputy have been
charged in a military tribunal trying suspected coup plotters. The trial
of retired Major- General Shehu Yar'Adua began on Tuesday and that of
Obasanjo earlier, the reports said. Spokespersons for the Nigerian
military refused comment except to say that information would be available
after trials of 23 alleged coup plotters, not including the two former
rulers, were completed at the end of June. In 1990 a total of 69 people
were executed after their secret trial for the failed bloody rebellion
against then army President Ibrahim Babangida by disgruntled junior
officers. Some other convicted people were given jail terms………….
An outspoken critic of continued military rule and advocate for democracy,
General Obasanjo initially was arrested on March 13, then released at the
behest of former President Jimmy Carter and other international figures on
March 22 and confined to his home. Allowed no access to outside
communication, he was allowed to see only his wife and children until he
was picked up again on the night of June 13 and taken to an undisclosed
location. No word of his fate was given us until Sunday, June 18 when he
was examined by a doctor at a military site and the doctor reported to us
that he had lost considerable body weight, was excessively fatigued, and
was suffering from high blood pressure.
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http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Urgent_Action/DC_obsanjo.html
Arrest of General Obasanjo, 03/17/'95
URGENT ACTION:
General Obasanjo Arrested by Nigerian Authorities
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http://www.anc.org.za/anc/newsbrief/1995/news0413
AFRICA-NEWS-HIGHLIGHTS
CAPE TOWN Apr 12 Sapa
LAGOS - Nigeria's military leader General Sani Abacha has said former
ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo was being detained because he was
implicated in a failed plot to topple the government, newspapers reported.
Abacha was quoted as saying preliminary security reports linked Obasanjo
to the coup plot. "It is most unfortunate one of our elder statesmen is
accused of this sort of thing. And it is as a result of that he is
presently in detention and investigations is going on," Abacha said in his
first public comment on the arrest of Obasanjo on March 13. Up until then
the government had not been explicit on the reasons for the retired
general's arrest.
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http://www.amnesty.org/news/1998/14403498.htm
NIGERIA: New head of state releases nine prisoners of conscience
16 June 1998
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http://www.cohdn.ca/ndj/Nigerian_News_Du_Jour__Tuesday_June_16,_1998.h
tml
Nigerian News Du Jour - Tuesday June 16, 1998 A Daily Selection of
Public and Private News on Nigeria
KUTI, OBASANJO, DASUKI, SIX OTHERS RELEASED
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NOTE NUMBER 2
Chief Bola Ige is currently the Attorney General and Minister of
Justice in President Obasanjo's cabinet.
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NOTE NUMBER 3
Chief Lai Balogun was assassinated earlier this week, with Obasanjo,
Afenifere and YCE all expressing dismay.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200012110229.html
Lai Balogun Shot Dead
Former presidential aspirant in the defunct Social Democratic Party
(SDP), Chief Olayiwola Balogun, a key witness in the murder petition
of Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, pending before Justice Oputa-led Panel was,
on Thursday night, killed by persons suspected to be hired assassins.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200012090002.html
Suspected Assassins Kill Prominent Nigerian Politician
Suspected assassins have killed a prominent Nigerian politician and
businessman, Olayiwola Balogun, police sources said.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200012150220.html
Obasanjo Has Promised To Find Balogun's Killers, Says Adesina
President Olusegun Obasanjo has promised that his government will
fish out the killers of late Layi Balogun and make them face the full
wrath of the law.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200012140304.html
Layi Balogun's Assassination
Nigeria's long list of assassination incidents got longer last week.
A prominent citizen, Chief Layi Balogun became the last figure on
that list when he fell to the bullets of the assassins in his Akoka,
Lagos, residence, last Friday.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200012140214.html
Afenifere Demands Probe Of Layi Balogun's Death
Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has called for the
immediate probe of the circumstances leading to the assassination of
Chief Layi Balogun and appealed to the Federal Government to beef up
national security and halt the assassination of innocent Nigerians.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200012130175.html
Yoruba Council of Elders Laments Layi Balogun's Murder
The Igbimo Agba Yoruba otherwise known as Yoruba Council of Elders,
yesterday in Ibadan declared that the brutal assassination of Chief Layi
Balogun has proved that the nation's democracy is not yet free from the
tyranny and cruelties of past military regimes.
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NOTE NUMBER 4
The recent formation of this Yoruba Elders Council, five years after it
was first mooted by Obasanjo and his NUO, has since become some bone of
contention between the new group and Afenifere.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200010110033.html
HID Awolowo, FRA, Akinloye, Others In Yoruba Council of Elders
Chief HID Awolowo, wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo,
Chief FRA Williams, Chief S.L. Edu, Chief A.M.A. Akinloye, Pa Ola
Vincent are among top Yoruba personalities who are members of the yet
to be launched Yoruba Council of Elders, Vanguard investigation has
revealed.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200011120127.html
Afenifere, YCE Battle For Recognition
A Grand battle between the Pan Yoruba Social group, Afenifere and the
recently established Yoruba Council of Elders (YEC) may have ensued
to secure recognition on which of them will become the mainstream
Yoruba leadership group.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200010170111.html
Why We Seek New Yoruba Leadership-Thompson
Justice Adewale Thompson (rtd), one time legal adviser to the defunct
Action Group (AG), who is also the initiator and secretary of the yet
to be launched Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) spoke with our
correspondent in Ibadan Sina Babasola on why the council was formed,
those behind it, its structure, involvement of Pa Abraham Adesanya,
the Afenifere leader among other issues relating to Yoruba ...
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200010080069.html
Afenifere Woos Yoruba Council of Elders to Avert Division
Determined to check possible division within the ranks of Yoruba sons
and daughters, the leadership of the Pan-Yoruba group, the Afenifere,
has started reaching out to the leaders of the newly formed Yoruba
Council of Elders (YCE) with a view to resolving their differences.
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200010210021.html
Yoruba Council Of Elders, Thompson Reacts To Olunloyo
The secretary of the newly floated Yoruba Council of Elders, (YCE)
Justice Adewale Thompson (rtd) yesterday reacted sharply to the
outburst of former governor of old Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo on
the formation of the council, describing the former governor as a
bunch of contradiction.
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NOTE NUMBER 5
TO THE NORTH WE HEAD
Obasanjo's NUON suspends a scheduled meeting in Benin City in favour
of an effort to secure Northern support
by
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Theweek, March 13, 1995 page 17
OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, FORmer head of state, could hardly wait for the Ramadan
to end before embarking on a tour of Kano State last Saturday to meet with
business, traditional and political leaders in the state for the purpose
of broadening the support for the efforts of his National Unity
Organisation of Nigeria. Leading a delegation of members of the NUON
consisting of Layi Balogun, former presidential aspirant, Ahmed Joda,
retired permanent secretary and the organisation's chairman, Kenny
Martins, the national coordinator, and Ademola Ijabiyi, Obasanjo was due
to meet with three main political groups during his two-day visit. The
groups included that of the NEPU/PRP which consist of followers of the
late Aminu Kano, and a new political association led by Kabiru Gaya,
former governor of the state. The Obasanjo team was also expected to
visit Ado Bayero, emir of Kano and some other prominent indigenes like
Tanko Yakassai, a constitutional conference delegate, Lawan Danbazzau,
Magaji Dambatta and Inua Wada, both First Republic politicians.
The meetings were part of the preparations by the NUON for the proposed
talks between southern and northern leadres for the purpose of presenting
a common front on the intractable political and economic problems. The
NUON had since January held widely publicised meetings of souther leaders
in Avutu, Imo State and Ibadan.
Obasanjo was to use last week-end's meeting to explain the objectives of
the NUON to northern leaders. February 12, Augusus Akinloye, chairman of
the defunct National Party of Nigeria, sent letters to some leaders in the
north through one Abdul Lateef Badamosi. In the seven-paragraph letter,
Akinloye intimated them of his "resolve to assist in bringing together all
shades of opinion in all of the southern parts of the country."
"Thereafter," he announced, "we shall align the groups or association with
other such groups of people in the northern parts of the country for the
singular aim of uniting majority of Nigerians."
THe letter notified the northern leaders of Akinloye's plan to lead a
delegation of southern leaders to talk with their colleagues in the north
for the purpose of achieving unity. Among those who received the letters
were Ibrahim Dasuki, Sultan of Sokoto [NOTE: LATER DEPOSED BY ABACHA],
Shehu Idris, emir of Zaria, Umaru Shinkafi [NOTE: VICE-PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE OF APP/AD, CONTESTING AGAINST OBASANJO IN 1999], Lemah Jubrillu
and Shehu Yar'Adua [NOTE: ARRESTED AND JAILED AT ABOUT THE SAME TIMES AS
OBASANJO. DIED IN PRISON ON DECEMBER 8, 1997.] Others included Lawan
Danbazzau [NOTE: NOW DECEASED], Ibrahim Gusau [NOTE: NOW OBASANJO'S
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER], Bashir Tofa, former presidential candidate of
the defunct National Republican Convention [NOTE: CONTESTED AGAINST MKO
ABIOLA] and Wada. In their response, Theweek learnt that many of the
northern leaders expressed their willingness to participate in the
proposed meeting. The visit to Kano was meant to further ensure wider
participation in the north-south meeting which is billed for Kaduna.
NUON's foray into the north has supplanted its earlier plans to hold a
southern solidarity meeting in Benin City March 4. The meeting had ran
into initial problem when Obasanjo and other leaders of the organisation
could not get Anthony Enahoro, First Republic parliamentarian, to host the
meeting. Enahoro was said to be reluctant to associate with NUON because
he could not submerge his Movement for National Reformation [MNR] under
the aegis of the NUON. TheWeek also learnt that Enahoro reportedly told
his aides that he does not believe that the NUON has the national
acceptability that would encourage him to take the organisation seriously
An aide to Enahoro also said the seasoned politicain "would not have
anything to do with a group that does not subscribe to the political
restructuring of the country into regions as enunciated by the MNR."
Enahoro is alos believed to be suspicious of Obasanjo's real intentions.
With Enahoro's apathy, many indigenes of Edo and Delta States who should
organise the meeting are also not enthusiastic about the talks. This is
widely believed to be the reason for the suspension of the meeting. But
Martins told Theweek that the meeting was postponed because "having done
some consultations in the north, we felt it is high time we were in the
north to hold meetings with the leaders there and the timing has to be
perfect. The Ramadan has just ended and the pilgrimage to Mecca would
soon commence. If were are not careful, we would be constrained by the
hajj operations and other things that may prevent some key leaders who
have indicated their support for our efforts from attending."
In the east, a joint technical committee of the NUON and the Eastern
Mandate Union concluded work on the details of association between the two
organisations. IN the four-page agreement drafted in Lagos by
representatives of the two associations, six measures were suggested as a
way forward for building "a dominant political party" with the advantage
of creating "elite national consensus." They included the establishment
of a federation between all cooperating groups. The NUON is to assist EMU
in developing its social programmes, the creation of an elaborate
programme to guide the enlistment of members, establishment of a viable
national secretariat to sever the party across the country and "to
forestall the destabilising influence of local fiefs by channelling all
donations to the party into the purse of the national organisation."
With Eddy Akporama.
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ALUKO NOTE:
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IT LOOKS AS IF THE EASTERN MANDATE UNION (EMU) UNDER DR. ARTHUR
NWANKWO THAT WENT THE FARTHEST IN IDENTIFYING OBASANJO'S NUON AS A
NASCENT POLITICAL PARTY WITH ATTRACTIVE PURSE STRINGS.
UNFORTUNATELY, ABACHA, ALREADY HATCHING PLANS TO SUCCEED HIMSELF,
TOO UNDERSTOOD OBASANJO'S MOVES - AND INSTANTLY TACKLED OBASANJO WITH
WITH A COUP AROUND HIS NECK!
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