‘Those of us at The PUNCH newspapers were completely blotted out; yet, we stood and fought for June 12 more than even the Concord newspapers owned by MKO Abiola, the symbol of the June 12 struggle. I stand to be corrected because facts and figures back up this claim’.

THE media is awash with June 12 stories not only because it is another anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola but also because the presidential address by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provided enough meat for people with diverse interests and motives to feed fat on. For the President’s political opponents, there was nothing the president would have said that they would not tear in pieces. Has fuel price returned to the N187 it was before Tinubu made his “subsidy is gone” announcement? Has the Naira exchange rate returned to the pre-Tinubu merger of the official and black market exchange rates? Has insecurity abated all over the country? What of the cankerworm of corruption: Has it been fought to a standstill? Have cries of “we are hungry” ceased completely all over the land?  The answer to all these questions is capital NO!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antjie Krog is a South African writer, academic and broadcaster. As a radio journalist with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Krog reported the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) proceedings under the chairmanship of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Thereafter, she chronicled South Africa’s Apartheid regime’s human rights abuses and assassinations in a 1998 book entitled Country of My Skull. In that book, Krog attempted to define what she meant by ‘memorialization’ as the remembrance and keeping memories of the dead and living victims of conflicts. Krog dramatizes it as:

“Beloved, do not die. Do not even dare to die! I, the survivor, I wrap you in words so that the future inherits you. I snatch you from the death of forgetfulness. I tell your story, complete your ending — you who once whispered beside me in the dark.”

As he appeared last week at the Joint National Assembly session on the 32nd anniversary of the June 12 election annulment, it was obvious President Bola Tinubu also aimed at memorializing heroes and victims of the June 1993 election annulment crisis. He however bungled it so irredeemably. And this was because he lacked an understanding of the concepts of remembrance; why remembrancers remember their dead and heroes and why memorialization without memory of justice ends in failure.

When societies emerge from conflicts and violence like the Nigerian June 12 crisis, there are rituals usually made for healing of wounds. Honouring memories of the dead and the wounded living (emotionally, physically and psychologically wounded) is one of such. Erecting monuments to memorialize them is another. In some societies, native rituals are made to appease the roving spirits of the dead so as to ward off tragedies associated with shed innocent blood.

Apartheid South Africa and June 12 have so many features that unite and differentiate them. While Apartheid endured for 46 years, from 1948 to 1994, the crisis of Nigeria’s June 12 lasted from June 1993 to October 1999. On one side, Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by a white minority government, and on the other, June 12 was cobbled together by a tiny minority military Generals with deadly power of coercion.

Sergeant Barnabas Jabila, known by his alias of Sgt. Rogers, was a member of the Strike Force of the Gen Sani Abacha Presidential Body Guard. It was a specialized military squad deployed by former Chief Security Officer to Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha against opponents of that regime. Rogers reportedly confessed to having shot Alex Ibru, publisher of The Guardian, on top of the Lagos Falomo Bridge on Friday, February 2, 1996. He also confessed to killing the wife of MKO Abiola, winner of the June 12 election, Kudirat Abiola. While his bullets hit and killed the woman who later became a martyr of the struggle, Rogers’ bullets missed Ibru’s skull but hit him in the eye. For the 16 years he lived thereafter, Ibru was partially blind.

Ibru’s case was similar to Father Michael Lapsley’s. Born in New Zealand, Lapsley was trained as an Anglican priest in Australia and became a member of The Society of the Sacred Mission which in 1973 sent him to South Africa where he served as a university chaplain. The injustices of the Soweto massacre of 1976 where scores of students died made Lapsley subscribe to ANC ideals, a move which incensed the white minority rulers. The white government then refused to renew his visa, leading to Lapsley leaving for Lesotho and later Harare, Zimbabwe, where he served as ANC’s chaplain. However, on April 28, 1990, as he sat in his living room, Father Lapsley received two pieces of mails from South Africa. It was a correspondence ostensibly containing two religious magazines — one in Afrikaans, and the other in English. As he opened the English mail, the two, obviously twined, exploded. Like the parcel bomb that killed Dele Giwa in 1986, Lapsley’s was suspected to have been mailed by the South African Government’s covert security apparatus named Civil Cooperation Bureau.

Lapsley’s two hands were brutally wrung off by the bomb. Today, he uses prostheses in their place. He also lost one of his eyes like Ibru, as well as his eardrums which were shattered by the bomb. “I had accepted that I may die because of the side I had chosen, but not that I would have a major disability,” he says thereafter. “There was a short time when I wished I was dead, I had never met somebody else who had no hands so I did not think I would be able to live an active life again.”

As he walked into the venue of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu-led TRC, even Tutu smothered welling tears on seeing the mangled remains of Lapsley’s hands as they were held together by a pair of manacles-looking improvised hands. Asked if he had forgiven those who parcel-bombed him, Lapsley, who now believes in restorative justice, said he had, but wished to meet those who made him this miserable someday. “If I ever met them, I would ask: What do you do now? Do you still make letter bombs? If the answer is no, and in fact I help out at the hospital, or I do something to benefit others, then I (will) happily forgive them,” he replied.

In events after Gen Ibrahim Babangida annulled the June 12 election, Nigerians were subjected to horrendous and inhuman violence as we were in Pieter Willem Botha’s Apartheid. A rising tide of assassinations enveloped Nigeria like a miasma. The murder of Alhaja Suliat Adedeji was particularly pathetic. Assassinated in her Ring Road Kobomoje mansion, Adedeji was a philanthropist and fearless politician who had just returned from a long day of community meetings. The assassins walked into her living room, dragged her to her prayer room and shot her in her private part. The symbolism the murderers tried to convey by that gory killing is lost on all till today. Before joining politics, Adedeji was said to be a nurse. Unconfirmed rumours said she once attended to Gen Abacha and that the reason for her murder was hidden in those nurse-patient relationship. Chief Layi Balogun, said to be from the same Kobomoje family as Adedeji, was also assassinated not long after. Rumours were rife that Balogun was attempting to uncover what led to Adedeji’s murder. Till today, like all the above victims killed during the June 12 imbroglio, the killers of Suliat Adedeji and Balogun were never found. There was no justice nor closure.

Thirty two years since the June 12 election was annulled, with all its attendant horrors, Nigerians, like Father Lapsley, are ready to forgive those who inflicted those incalculable pains and agonies on them, from Generals Babangida, Abacha to the lowliest subaltern who carried out their nefarious orders. It is obvious that the present Nigerian government, under a man who himself escaped the June 12 messengers of death, wants closure of our national grief. Unfortunately, he and his government are going about their search for closure in a wrong way. The first thing to realize is that, closure and justice can only come for a contrite killer and not one locked up in a circuit of non-disclosure.

Dullah Omar, Minister of Justice in the Nelson Mandela government, saw the process of closure from griefs suffered by South Africans under Apartheid as a moral imperative. “(In) the National Executive Committee of the ANC, there was a strong feeling that some mechanisms must be found to deal with all violations in a way which would ensure that we put our country on a sound moral basis… open up the truth for public scrutiny… to humanize our society,” he said.

The above is exactly what closure does. How can the children of Rewane, Suliat Adedeji, the family of Olu Onagoruwa, whose son, Toyin, was assassinated, allegedly by the Abacha junta as retaliation for his Attorney General’s obstinacy, find closure? How can Nigerians who lost friends, families and relatives in the June 12 imbroglio find eternal relief? Certainly not from Tinubu’s mealy-mouthed speech at the National Assembly on June 12 nor even the payment of N45b said to have been demanded by the Abiola family. President Tinubu is the only one who can facilitate final closure and healing for Nigerians from the June 12 wounds. And it can only be done with a heart of purity.

In a world of grief and mourning, the goal of treatment of the bereaved is for them to reach an endpoint, which is popularly called closure. Though there are grieving people who cannot wrap themselves round losses, so much that, for them, there can be no end to grief, there are still so many people for whom simple therapies can grant closure from griefs. This is why confession of those who inflicted injuries and caused deaths, as well as bringing them to justice, often help in a strong way to arrive quickly at closure gate. In many cases, even those who suffer ambiguous losses, which is a stubborn loss, one that defies closure, can also be made to find closure by such therapies.

Getting Nigerians and direct families of victims of June 12 to arrive at a closure is more desirable than a thousand and one hagiographical deification of dead and living heroes at the parliament. The first action that can help quicken national healing from the wounds of June 12 is for this government to find out what and who actually killed MKO Abiola and Sani Abacha. Their deaths have been ascribed to many theories and individuals, ranging from Israeli MOSSAD squad, to America and so on. It is in Nigeria’s national healing interest to know the causes of the deaths of these people.

Second, who killed General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua? So many theories have been propounded for the death of this soldier-politician in the Abakaliki, Ebonyi State prison. While Nigerians believe Yar’Adua was poisoned by the Abacha Strike Force of the Presidential Body Guard, that government claimed he died a natural death.

Third, the identities of members of the Strike Force of the Presidential Body Guard should be made known. Are they men who today loiter among normal men and women? Since murder investigation is not time-bound, if the living families of the Rewanes, the Onagoruwas, the Adedejis etc can have government ensure that they can attach faces and persons to the assassinations of their murdered patriarchs and matriarchs, it will expedite the process of closure.

A time there was when the identity of Sergeant Mshela Jabilla was revealed as the infamous Sgt. Rogers, only for him to disappear into thin air. Sometime in 2009, it was reported that he was involved in an accident and got his spinal cord injured. However, Nigerians, who were equally told of the disappearance of a certain Gloria Okon during the Dele Giwa parcel bomb matter, cannot believe a claim of such unverified lie from the powers-that-be.

MUCH as I hate to get personal, I would be lying if I didn’t say that I and other members of my family were rather surprised that the name of our father was not among those honoured by President Tinubu as he doled out National honours to June 12 heroes. Besides, I have been inundated with calls from friends and well-wishers wondering why my late father’s name, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, was omitted from the list. As is characteristic of the Ajasin family, our deeds are mostly altruistic, since there is usually no craving for any reward, notwithstanding our privations. Consequently, our deeds and performances very often go unnoticed/unrecognized.

However, it is unconscionable that the leader of the group (NADECO) best known for fighting the military and bringing about the much-touted democracy never got a single mention in the scheme of June 12 celebration/anniversary! I do not know whether this conspicuous omission was deliberate or not, but be it known that Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin CFR in his lifetime doubled as the Leader of Afenifere and NADECO, the two organizations that were the arrowheads and in the forefront of the fight against military dictatorship.

It was Afenifere that provided the leadership for all the other activists and civil society organizations which included the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Movement for National Reformation (MNR), National Conscience Party (NCP) Concerned Professionals (CP), etc… At the risk of being immodest, my father, our family and, indeed, the Owo community were subjected to all sorts of risks from the marauding  goons of the Abacha regime. Even where no awards or rewards are dispensed to these heroes of democracy, they certainly deserve to be recognised and mentioned in a country that has a dearth of heroes.  

—Chief Tokunbo Ajasin (For the Family)

She married down, below her needs, wants and vision for the future. She was already a nurse in the state hospital when she met Dare. All Dare had was a fine face, great physique and creative hands. She was ambitious. He was not. She believed in setting goals and burning her candles at both ends to meet them. He believed in que sera sera, whatever will be will be. She saw a good life beyond where she was and was determined to get it. Dare believed in going with the flow.

Nobody believed in them, Tutu and Dare. 

 They were worlds apart but only others saw it. Tutu’s parents begged her, they appealed, they threatened. Her friends too.

This boy can’t feed himself.

He’s living with his friends who are also jobless.

A man who wants to sell carvings and paintings for a living is a man you will feed and clothe. 

You will regret this.

It was like a prophecy but Tutu wanted who she wanted. Eight months of whirlwind romance and they got married at Ikoyi Registry, Lagos. Dare moved out of his downtown Lagos (Isale Eko) place into Tutu’s mini flat in Gbagada. And that was the beginning of their problems. Oh no, not that there was or is anything wrong with humble beginnings or a new bride helping in the home. It was more of two people heading in different directions boarding the same bus. Life with the boys in Lagos was what Dare was used to. Life on the mainland was most certainly different and too demanding for Dare, the new husband. He wanted to go hang out with his ‘goons’ back home, even when he had to ask Tutu for transport fare. He wanted Tutu to cook with fresh fish for his friends when they came to watch football in their small apartment. Tutu wanted them to save and plan. 

Dare wanted to sleep till noon like he used to. He said he could paint only when the ‘spirit’ moved him. When Tutu told him to take a nine-to-five job so he could paint after work and at weekends, Dare was shocked and insulted. 

So, painting is not work? I’m jobless and useless, right?

Look here ‘orente’, I am the husband here and I sell my paintings. 

But he had not sold any painting in a whole month. They had to feed and pay bills. Tutu loved Dare and shouldered the young family’s responsibilities until she could no longer do it. 

The partnership probably would have been easier if the couple had the same vision, shared a common goal but they were too different, really. 

They married for love, sweet romance. Maybe Dare is a wild animal in bed. Maybe a fair-skinned curvy nurse in neat short dress is an aphrodisiac. But marriage can’t survive on just love and great sex. No, it can’t. There are too many curves and bends in marriage. It is an uncharted path and each couple has to make their own way, figure out their maps. There is no manual. You put yours together to fit your vehicle and terrain. 

Every couple must go into it with their eyes peeled and head screwed on tight. Whatever Dare and Tutu did it for, they were not prepared for the journey because they were supposed to be on different paths. 

So Tutu was slowly moving up in her career. Dare was not making any real headway. He does not want to take a regular job. He loves the arts. The arts love him but there is no money in there and soon the love in the marriage started looking for an escape route. 

Love is like that. Whatever we think it is or have idolized it to be, it’s got a fickle body and is prone to flight. Love, it leaves when the other tough things move in. Look around you before you start arguing. Take a quick census of marriages broken and breaking and swear the couples in pain now were not in love first. 

Each time Tutu talked about Dare getting a job, a verbal war always followed.

‘I am an artist. You knew that when you agreed to marry me. An artist I am, an artist I’ll die. You cannot change me. I know you are comparing me with your brothers and your friends’ husbands but you can’t. I won’t let you. I’m the man here, the husband, your husband’.

So, telling Date to get a job so they could eat better, get a better apartment and plan a better future became a testy topic. Yet the burden of being a bread winner was wearing Tutu out.

Three years into their marriage, Dare started hassling Tutu for a child.

We need to start a family.

Why are you not pregnant?

You need to get off all the contraceptives.

I admit that many women have been known to marry men who were not as successful as they were when they first met. But this is not the point here. A man not being rich or able to pick the family bills at 30 is not a problem. It is men who sit on their backsides and expect manna to fall one way or another that are dangerous. Those ones who won’t get up and won’t let their wives rise or stand. I know you have met a few or even know women who are married to them. It is not a delight watching the struggle in those families. The woman wants a better life. She is willing to start life in a small apartment but she does not want to raise her children in a face-me-I-face-you. She does not want her children to go to public school. And she is willing to work hard to achieve the better life she wants. She is a cleaner in the morning and a trader in the afternoon. She is a civil servant during the week and a private lesson teacher at weekends. She is a secretary on Monday and a make-up artiste on Saturday. She married holding just an OND certificate but is currently pursuing a Master’s degree. Her husband is still holding his HND. No improved degree, no new vocation or skills acquired. He is just there blaming his boss and Tinubu and APC. His wife has caught up with him and overtaken him.

Many women survive the hassles and struggles. Many also slump and die prematurely because they would rather face their ’hussles’ than nag their husbands.

Marrying for love is romantic but marriage is not a romantic relationship. It is a life, a new life that you have to live for a lifetime. If a man marries a laid-back woman, that life may be hard but if a woman marries a laid-back man, the journey will definitely be hard and the chances of the couple not arriving their destinations together, in one peace, is high. If the responsibility-overload kills a mother while the children are still young, we all know the drill that follows.

Women are wired to receive. Men are wired to give. When that divine arrangement is altered, the marriage becomes a trial, a task, not a union. If a man married to an unambitious woman finds prosperity, he covers the gap. Women are not wired like that. If all a woman does is pay bills all her life, submission, care, even lovemaking, become a chore, hard labour. More marriages have been known to fail where the man is not pulling his weight.

In all, note, before you launch into a self-righteous homily, that this is about laid-back husbands who blame everybody and everything for their woes. This, definitely, is not about responsible, hardworking husbands who are waiting for their breakthrough.

Lesson of the day? Young lady, make sure that man you want to marry shares your goals and aspirations. Make sure he is the man you can look up to, not look down on. If he is contented with being average and you are aiming for the stars, your union is heading for the rocks.

President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC governors; National Chairman and other bigwigs are expected in Uyo on Saturday, June 21, to formally receive Gov. Umo Eno into their party, two weeks after he announced his defection from PDP. The grand rally will hold at the iconic football stadium named after the senate president. As in other instances, Vice President may lead the delegation from Abuja. The switch of parties has weakened PDP, stirred debates, attracted criticisms and excitements. Eno’s genial personality and proclivity to build harmony and inclusivity across partisan divides has endeared him to his people. This essay examines the key issues that have dominated discussions since the governor Eno joined the APC. Did he compel others to move with him?; why did former governor Udom Emmanuel not decamp and how will APC manage the various tendencies within the party?

A few days after the defection, elder statesman and former minister, Chief Nduese Essien issued a statement alleging that the governor had ‘’coerced’’ members of the State and National Assembly, as well as Chairpersons of LGAs to decamp with him. A PDP chieftain himself, Chief Essien said that although he had attended the event at Government House on June 6 when the governor announced his departure from the party, he did so only out of his support and loyalty to the governor. He maintained that he is still a PDP member and as an octogenarian, he’s retired from partisan activities.

I have spoken to the two PDP senators who decamped with the governor and they insist that they were not coerced. ‘’No, the governor did not coerce me or anyone that I know. I joined him out of my own volition because I understand the underlying issues’’, said Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial district. Senator Ekong Sampson of Akwa Ibom South senatorial district put it more elegantly, ‘’political alignment and realignment are personal decisions. The question of compulsion does not arise’’. Besides, governors have enormous influence and few can resist overtures from them. They are the major funders of their political parties and their candidates; they have the leverage, authority, money and the capacity to influence the outcomes of elections. A governor makes many appointments and recommends some to the President for appointment. A governor gives contracts, dispenses gifts; favours, empowerments; etc. These are the soft powers that attract followers to wherever the governor goes. He doesn’t need to employ coercion to compel PDP members. They followed him because they just did not want to become the new face of opposition in Akwa Ibom.

The movement of Eno and his large entourage into APC has prompted a new wave of jostling for leadership positions within the party. Victor Antai, executive director at NDDC, was crowned the leader of the party in his senatorial district a few days after the governor defected, with many wondering how he could claim such a position in a zone where there are titans like Nsima Ekere, former deputy governor and former MD of NDDC and Ekong Sampson, senator representing the district. Antai was APC’s deputy governorship candidate in 2023 and there are speculations that he wants to pair with the governor in 2027. There are similar tussling for positions in some wards and local government areas, igniting discussions about the capacity of the party to manage its success. Will the party implode under its new heavy weight or its suspension has been retrofitted to absorb the excess load?

The absence of former governor Udom Emmanuel from the political scene in the state has also been a major talking point. Many had thought that the ex banker would move into APC with his successor, just like Ifeanyi Okowa moved with Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori in Delta. But the circumstances are different. After the 2023 elections, Udom Emmanuel quietly retired from partisan politics and resumed his business interests in Lagos. In December, he told supporters that he’s not interested in going to the senate in 2027, fending off sustained entreaties to run. His withdrawal from active political activities therefore does not offer any compelling need for him to join APC, unlike Eno who would be seeking reelection and has chosen APC as a viable platform. The separation has, however, not soured the relationships between the two. Said Senator Sampson: ‘’The governor has very high regards for his predecessor and he says so publicly. I don’t think the defection will affect their relationships’’. On the other hand, Okowa wants to go back to the Senate in 2027, and he’s preparing to will battle for the ticket with Senator Ned Nwoko who defected to the APC in February.

The defection rally on Saturday will be a culmination of series of activities that heralded the governor’s defection. With the governor now settled in his new party, internal realignment will begin as attention shifts back to the people’s business.

On this significant day, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) extends our congratulations to all Nigerians as we mark twenty-six years of an uninterrupted democratic journey. We particularly salute President Bola Tinubu, who now has the privilege of leading the nation in commemorating Democracy Day—a day that honors the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, unjustly annulled by the then-military regime. Of note we appreciate the state pardon granted to Ken Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine.

PANDEF notes that the profound meaning of this day in Nigeria's checkered democratic history remains a poignant reminder of our bitter-sweet journey and the urgent need for genuine reflection on our present realities.

Successive administrations at all levels, since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, including those in place at present, have made strides toward delivering the basic socio-economic dividends of democracy. Yet, it remains an arduous and sluggish journey. Of deep concern are the persistent challenges that directly confront ordinary Nigerians especially in the critical areas of access to food, security, primary healthcare, basic education and unmitigated environmental degradation of the Niger Delta. 

PANDEF notes that most troubling is the glaring contradiction between the noble ideals and enduring legacy of June 12, as symbolized by the sacrifices of past and surviving heroes and the reality of what can only be described as a creeping authoritarianism in Rivers State. While the nation rightly unites with the President to celebrate Democracy Day, a deeply paradoxical and troubling situation continues to unfold in the strategically important state of Rivers. The people of Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta are being subjected to the erosion democratic institutions and principles of good governance. This portends grave implications for our collective democratic achievements as a country. 

PANDEF therefore calls upon the relevant authorities, most especially, President Bola Tinubu, as the father of the nation, and the National Assembly, led by our own son, Senator Godswill Akpabio to act without delay to restore democratic governance in Rivers State. The prolonged political crisis in the state has created an environment of instability and uncertainty that directly impacts the well-being of everyday citizens.

Additionally, we appeal to all principal political actors and their supporters in Rivers State to immediately "lay down their arms" and embrace the path of peace. As people of common faith, let us be guided by the injunction in Ecclesiastes 3:8: “There is to hate and a time to love, a time for war and a time for peace.” The time for love and peace has come, in solemn honor of the memories of the heroes and martyrs of June 12.

As the apex socio-political body in the South-South region, PANDEF reaffirms our commitment to support all genuine, collective efforts aimed at realizing the foundational ideals of our democracy. Most especially, we pledge to champion the urgent return of accountable, people-driven governance in Rivers State.

Ambassador Dr Godknows Igali

Today, I celebrate Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, iconic journalist and publisher of Vanguard newspaper, on his 90th birthday.

Fondly called Uncle Sam, Amuka-Pemu started his career at the Daily Times. Then, he co-founded The Punch with the late accountant Chief Olu Aboderin. After parting ways with Aboderin, he set up the Vanguard newspaper in 1984, which became one of Nigeria's most influential newspapers under his leadership.

Mr. Amuka-Pemu has devoted most of his life to journalism. It is to his credit and managerial acumen that Vanguard is alive today, 41 years after its founding, despite the crisis in the media industry.

Uncle Sam remains a shining example of dedication, resilience and integrity within the media industry.

Today, he is not just a leader of the profession; he is a doyen. His leadership, from the altar of journalism, has influenced the media landscape and extended to his role as a respected leader in Delta State and the South-South geopolitical zone, making him an elder statesman.

"On the occasion of this year's Democracy Day, I conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in profound recognition of his significant contributions to the country and his exemplary leadership in the field of journalism.

I urge the younger journalists to emulate this highly respected publisher and leader.

I wish Uncle Sam continued God's grace and more years of impact. Our country is deeply grateful for his invaluable contributions to journalism and his enduring legacy.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President and Commander-in-Chief

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Now that the rains are fully here, sometimes pouring in buckets, the Lagos State government’s reminder of efficient waste disposal could not have come at a better time. The reminder was prompted by the just-concluded Sallah Festivities. With the Festival approaching last week with the attendant preparatory activities, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said: “As we prepare for the Sallah Festivities, which will come up in a few days, a lot of waste will be generated…We urge all residents to maintain a clean and hygienic environment, especially around homes, markets and worship centres. All generated wastes should be sorted, bagged, and handed over to the approved Private Sector Participation operators across all the wards in the state.”

“Do not patronize illegal waste collectors or cart pushers. That is what the provisions of the law state,” Mr. Wahab admonished the Lagos residents. We will be wrong to think the pressing trigger was only a festival event-specific. Not in a state that generates an average of 13, 000 tonnes of waste daily, 870, 000 tonnes of plastic waste yearly. Altogether, the waste generated yearly in the state is 5.46million. Mr. Wahab has long thrown his cap in the ring to do battle with all manner of people who have exhibited brazen disregard for environmental laws and building regulations. Warning residents against dumping refuse or solid waste in drains, medians or setbacks, he said at his Press conference last week that the government would not hesitate in climbing down on residents who defied and disobeyed environmental laws: “Illegal dumping in drains and public spaces causes flash flooding, endangers public health and defaces our city. It is strictly prohibited and under active surveillance. Desist from dumping building materials in the drains or on the roads during the construction process. All such contravening structures will be sealed up, and the owners prosecuted.”

Lagos State Waste Management Board (LAWMA) is in partnership with the private sector referred to by Mr. Wahab as Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators. There are 428 such operators, plying 40 routes, two to three times daily. This cannot be surprising given the population of Lagos. Greater Metropolitan Lagos alone has been put at 21 million inhabitants.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director of LAWMA, had told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the PSP operators deploy 102 compactor trucks for waste evacuation, which covered cleaning out of coastlines, lagoons and drainage channels. The compactors are leased to the PSP operators and their operations are subsidised by the government monthly in view of the state of the economy. The government is acquiring more compactors, hopefully before long.

Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said every household and business should patronize the government assigned PSP operator for proper waste collection, adding: “Timely payment of waste bill supports the system and ensures consistent service. Those who generate waste must take responsibility for its proper disposal. Every resident must realise that all residents or tenement should pay their waste bills to keep the PSP operators in business.”

It is elating and laudable that the Lagos State Government is applying itself to the unenviable tasks of waste disposal within the state and with the burgeoning population to boot! It has improved on the work plan and efforts of the state’s old waste disposal template. In 1981 and 1982, the Lagos State Waste Disposal Board under the T. A. Mumuni as chairman, collected 400,000 tonnes of refuse yearly with a fleet of 157 vehicles. At the time, it was record job; the waste load was mind-rending, given the population of Lagos at the period, 43 years ago. The board also boasted of 21 mechanical shovels and about 2,000 movable dustbins. At the time, refuse collection was in the night so as not to hinder free flow of traffic. Several collections centres were established in every major street with the cooperation of landlord associations. The staff strength in the employment of the board was 1,800 men.

Waste disposal in our major cities has been a herculean task. Waste is dumped anyhow and, in any place, a reflection of the inner state, that is, the state of spiritual maturity of a people. The technological wonders of these times are coming to rescue the populace from ugliness. Technology has helped in the recycling of 30 per cent of the waste in Lagos to reduce the load of it going to landfills. According to Free Recycle Limited, 870, 000 tonnes of plastic waste are generated yearly. To demonstrate how crucial efficient waste disposal is in our lives, think of underground water during the rainy season as we have now in places where garbage is not properly kept and treated. It was Chief Bisi Akande who first adverted the minds of Nigerians to the issue this time in 1992. And one could not but ask: ‘How safe is the water you drink? It is a question worth asking the next time you are about to have a glass of water. For you may discover that you have a glass of slow-killing poison in your hands.

Chief Akande raised the alarm when he was chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government. In his characteristic bluntness, he told residents near the refuse dump on Ring Road that large concentrations of nitrates had been found in the soil near their homes and, in their own interest, they should close all deep wells from where many obtained drinking water. The trouble was the refuse dump. Normally, good health regulations forbid the siting of refuse dumps within three kilometres radius of residential abode. Where the dump came first, no one is expected to live within three kilometres of it. Dumps contain all sorts of rubbish from metals and plastics to waste food. As the rubbish degenerates, rain and other forms of ground water take the chemical chips underground water from which many Nigerians obtain drinking water.

Nitrates, the pollutants cited in the Ibadan experience, may come from vegetable and plant waste or from the preservatives contained in convenience fast food, according to scientists. In the human body, these chemicals may be transformed into nitrosamines which cause cancer, genetic and birth defects. But this will not be the only danger over the Ring Road residents for dumps also contain metallic rubbish some of which are converted by microbes to water -soluble forms and thereafter leached into the underground system. The heavier these metals are the more dangerous the leachates. The parade is frightening: Aluminium leachate from aluminium cooking pots or cans; mercury; cadmium; lead etc. Heavy metals collect in tissues and organs for which they have affinity and damage them in the long run, causing death. At risk especially are the liver, kidney and the brain.

I want to believe that the fate of Ring Road must have changed for the better since Chief Akande raised the alarm in 1992. The taps should be running by now. The Chief himself had gone on to be the Governor of Osun State since then. At the time, the same poisoning that afflicted Ring Road, Ibadan, was the unsuspected problem where in Lagos Metropolis a dump sat comfortably between two residential blocks on the Isolo-Egbe Road. Indeed, the infringement was worse in Lagos Metropolis. Another area was the Ijesha bus-stop on the Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway. As this column pointed out at the time: “There is yet another right at the gates of Gbagada General Hospital. There is also the Delphin residential Estate scheme dump.” Yet as far back as 20 June, 1988, The Guardian had raised an alarm over the federal Ministry of Works discovery that the underground water from which many Lagos families obtained their drinking water in these areas had become poisoned. Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti who later became the Minister of Health was to admit and warn that previously unknown diseases had become big-time killers. This was echoed by the World Health Organization (WHO) that said Third World Countries should be wary of the Western civilization diseases notably heart ailments killing a large number of Nigerians. Water samples were taken from wells and boreholes near even disused rubbish dump at Aina Street, Lawanson; Aborisade Street and Idi-Araba for analysis. The study revealed that the garbage dumps somehow did not have too serious effect on the level of contamination of the well waters in the area, but that it did not obviate the necessity to keep the rules of three kilometres away from rubbish sites.

I have gone this far to demonstrate why Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, deserve the backing in their unremitted drive to enforce Lagos environmental laws and building regulations to ensure that the NIMET forecast of flooding which is hanging like the sword of Damocles on 32 states out of 36 plus Abuja does not catch Lagos napping. The Kogi unfortunate experience has demonstrated that the elements are serious if you stand in their way. The waterways must be free of what they in their fury will regard as encumbrances on their path.

ABSENSE OF MR. FOOL IN THE CASTLE

Within two years of his ascension to the High Throne, seven public places and institutions have been named after Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At first, I said to myself dismissively that Wole Falodun, the Mr. Wakabout of our ancient and beloved Lagos Weekend, has come again with his gist, with his gossip. Then, I quickly cleared my eyes to authenticate the story in, of course, this newspaper, The Guardian, and then in some online newspapers as well. It is found in The Cable, a credible online newspaper and authored by Samuel Akpan. Please, read with me the beautiful and captivating Akpan’s intro:

“From a bustling highway to a humming airport and barracks, Tinubu’s name is being woven into the fabric of the nation’s public space.”

The monuments are listed as follows:

Abubakar Imam International Airport, Minna, is renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport by Niger State Governor, Umar Bago. Abubakar Imam was the first celebrated publisher/Editor of Hausa newspaper, Gaskia. The airport was named after the journalist in 2023. The rechristening without qualms came less than a year, 10 March, 2024, after Abubakar Imam’s name adorned the edifice.

On 28 May, 2024, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, named the just completed Abuja Southern Parkway after President Tinubu, his appointor. The Parkway is said to be a major artery road in the Federal capital.

On 29 May, the National Assembly management named its library after Tinubu. It was a new library the building of which was nearing completion before Ahmed Lawan 9th Assembly with Femi Gbajabiamila of House of Reps wound up.

On 10 December, 2024, the Immigration Services chose not to be left out. It named its command-and-control centre, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Complex.

On 16 January, 2025, the new Federal Polytechnic in Gwarrinpa was renamed Bola Ahmed Polytechnic, Abuja.

On 23 January, 2025, a newly constructed Army Barracks in Asokoro, Abuja, was named Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, Asokoro. General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, said the barracks was named after Tinubu to “give honour to whom honour is due.”

Last Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, the man who set the tone for the naming ceremony epidemic would not be beaten to it, he stepped forward once more, christening the renovated Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC) after Tinubu.

In the Earl of Gloucester’s Castle once lived a King called King Lear—a play based on mythological Leir of Britain back in 1605. In the palace, King Lear had a man called Fool. As the irony of life goes, Mr. Fool was the wisest man in the land. Enid Welsford in his review of the play King Lear, refers to him as “the sage-fool who sees the truth.”

Shakespearian scholars say the unique feature of Fool lies in how he speaks the truth. “He is an agent who prompts Lear to recognize the bitter truth.” He pushes King Lear to become self-aware and to understand the consequences of his actions. He lets him see the bigger picture of his kingdom and actions. King Lear has three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia, for example. The eldest, Goneril is married to the Duke of Albany and Regan to the Duke of Cornwall. According to the instructive play, the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France desired and ran after Cordelia, Lear’s youngest and favourite daughter. Lear asked his daughters to profess their love for him and he would give the largest share of his estate to anyone of them who loves him most. And Fool says: “Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise. Goneril is vexed that Fool is given special privilege. But Fool observes: “Truth’s dog must to kennel; he must be whipped out, when Lady the Brach may stand by the fire and stink.” In the end it is Cordial who loves her father most, but the discovery comes too late.

In our land, professional brilliant unreason is domiciled largely in the conclave, in particular, and in the ranks in general, of politicians. In the cheering orchestra, in the midst of clapping, one is already saying that after the Almighty Creator, King Lear comes next for him! Politicians are falling head and toes over themselves to curry the favour of the King in the Palace and I am seeing in the horizon, the emergence of Paul Biya and Kamuzu Banda. I hinted at this in the column captioned, Drift to one-party state. This is how it all started.

Tinubu must, therefore, reverse all the fawning rechristening. They are unethical, obscene and nauseating. He needs a Mr. Fool in the Villa.

SAM AMUKA AT 90

So, my boss is 90. So, Sad Sam is 90. I was woken from my slumber to read Sam Amuka has hit the great milestone –on Tuesday, 10 June. I will be back. In the meantime, see the glittering testimonial our leader, the legendary newspaper wizard, Alhaji Babatunde Jose, wrote about the inimitable editor, columnist and publisher:

“It took me some time, involving changes of editorship, to find an editor who would produce the Sunday Times as I conceived it. That is, like the London Sunday Times—beefy with in-depth feature articles; spicy with entertainment; biting with investigative reports, informative with news; and compelling with power-packed editorials, and ability to produce the paper on schedule for sale. Only three editors achieved that standard—Alade Odunewu, Sam Amuka and Gbolabo Ogunsanwo.”

I must have missed the date because the publisher we call Uncle Sam has a way of running away from the country on occasions like this!! A typical editor, he does want and will not crave any attention.

The absence of Mr. Fool must result in the absence of rationality most times and the collapse of hope.

I wish to humbly disagree with all those who have reached out to me protesting or complaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu "deliberately" missed out my name in the JUNE 12 HONORS' List released earlier today. I will like to make the following observations:

1. It is the prerogative of every government to determine those it wishes to recognise and honor.

2. Honorary awards are endless and can be given now, later or never. There are well deserving heroes whose names were clearly omitted.

3. JUNE 12 1993 has been extremely kind to me by offering me the opportunities to fight for Democracy in various capacities. I was amply compensated by the collective sacrifices made by Nigerians. I returned from exile with so many goodies as ordained by almighty God, including the global brand, Ovation International, a second address & citizenship in the UK, a third address in Ghana, worldwide fame & acclaim, and so on.

4. I would have been embarrassed to be recognized by a regime that's unapologetically trampling on tenets of democracy and dangerously leading our dear beloved nation down the slope of dictatorship and full-blown tyranny. On the other hand, it would have been considered rude and impudent of me to reject such a National honor from a man I still consider my Big Brother and friend, despite my vehement disagreement and displeasure with him over matters of political views... I wish to sincerely thank the President for rescuing me from what might have been misconstrued as compromise, arrogance or disrespect...

Massive congratulations to all the honorees...

- DELE MOMODU

Accra, Ghana

Some of us who were very active in the struggle to actualize the official announcement of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election result and the swearing into office the actual winner of the election, and are still alive today, wish to thank Mr President,His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR, for honoring some of the heroes of the struggle by conferring on them national awards in different categories on Democracy Day 2025.

We however will state for the records and for posterity that we believe there are some major omissions which should be rectified as soon as possible. Below is a suggested list of some of the key Heroes of June 12 and the categories of National Awards that we believe they truly deserve.

 1. LATE PA MICHAEL ADEKUNLE AJASIN. (GCON )

 2. LATE CHIEF ANTHONY ENAHORO(GCON)

 3. LATE SENATOR ABRAHAM ADESANYA.(CFR)

 4. LATE CHIEF AYO ADEBANJO.(CFR)

 5. LATE REAR ADMIRAL NDUBUISI KANU (CFR)

 6. SENATOR CORNELIUS ADEBAYO (CFR)

 7. LATE CHIEF OLANIHUN AJAYI(CON)

 8. LATE ALHAJI GANIYU DAWODU(CON).

 9. DR. KAYODE FAYEMI (CFR)

 10. CHIEF AYO OPADOKU(CON)

 11. SENATOR KOFO AKERELE BUCKNOR(CON)

 12. LATE CHIEF OLU BENSON LULU- BRIGGS(CON)

 13. PROF PAT UTOMI (CON)

 14. AARE DELE MOMODU (CON)

 15. MR. OLISA AGBAKOBA(CON)

 16. DR.USMAN BUGAJE (CON)

 17. COL DANGIWA UMAR (RTD) (CON)

 18. LATE CHIEF ARTHUR NWANKWO(CON)

 19. LATE CHIEF BOBO NWOSISI(CON)

 20. LATE CHIEF GUY IKOKWU(CON)

 21. LATE RVD. TUNJI ADEBIYI(OON)

 22. LATE CHIEF CHRIS EZEIYIAKU(OON)

 23. DR. ALBERT NDULUE(OFR)

 24. CHIEF MRS CHIKA IBENEME(OON)

 25. LATE CHIEF MESHACK UMEIKE(OON)

For Nigerians who are not familiar with the names of Late Reverend Tunji Adebiyi and Late Chief Chris Ezeiyiaku, these two gentlemen were the trusted and reliable human Couriers of the NADECO Leaders during the Abacha Years who constantly risked their lives carrying messages which could not be discussed on phone by the NADECO leadership.

Fellow patriotic Nigerians, let's continue to KEEP HOPE ALIVE.

Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju.

Member,NADECO.