A former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said on Wednesday that the late Pa Abraham Adesanya was one of those on whom he relied for advice in piloting the transition to democracy in Nigeria in 1999.
Abubakar spoke in Lagos at the 10th Memorial Symposium of the late NADECO Chieftain, Chief Abraham Adesanya, at which he was chairman.
Fate smiled on Abubakar in June 1998 when he had to take over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria following the sudden death of Gen. Sani Abacha.
He was military Head of State from June 9, 1998 until May 29, 1999, and oversaw the transition programme which saw the military return to the barracks, 16 years after it earlier truncated civilian rule in 1983.
Abubakar transferred power to president-elect, Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999, returning the country to civil rule.
The late Adesanya, on his part, was a leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which was a thorn in the flesh of the military, constantly demanding a return to democracy.
Adesanya died on April 27, 2008 at age 85.
Abubakar said at Adesanya’s memorial symposium that he had a good relationship with the late politician until his death.
“I had a good relationship with him when destiny brought me to be the Head of state of the country. I commend organisations that fought to bring democracy to Nigeria, and NADECO was the leading organisation. I relied on his advice and others to pilot the transition to democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku described late Adesanya as a symbol of authentic combination of loyalty to one’s ethnic group and country.
He said he promoted and protected the interest of the Yorubas, democracy and the interest of Nigeria as a whole.
“He was devoted to the fight for democracy in Nigeria and he incurred the wrath of Abacha with an attempted assassination on his life in 1996.
“He was a political activist, a patriot and the defender of the truth and public interest, ” he said.
Anyaoku, while addressing the topic ‘Leadership and the Future of Nigeria’, suggested that the country, to achieve an enduring political stability and socio-economic development, should be restructured into eight federating units.
According to him, there is the need to go back to the 1960 and 1963 constitutional arrangement to pave the way for national rebirth.
“Nigeria’s retrogression started during the military intervention in 1966. They dismantled the foundation of the country’s structure, stability and economic progress.
“The civilians also contributed to the problems with their brand of politics which promoted increased divisiveness and corruption.
“To solve these problems, we need to restructure into eight federating units: the six geo-political zones, create a Mid-West region and create a Middle belt federating unit.
“It would now be left for each unit to decide if and when to create zones if there is a cry of marginalisation.
“We need to avoid national disaster by agreeing to adopt a restructured true federalism. Therefore, I urge Nigerians to only regard restructuring as prerequisite for voting for any political party or their candidates,” he said.
A panelist, Chief John Nwodo, President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, said leadership failure contributed to the current challenges experienced in the country.
Nwodo said Nigeria required non-tribal, patriotic and fearless leaders like late Adesanya to progress.
“Pa Adesanya saw himself as a Yoruba and a true Nigerian. He recognised the problems in the country and spoke to the problems without being tribalistic. We need such leaders today.
“I urge Nigerians to vote wisely in 2019. Do not vote anybody who does not recognise that we need a restructured nation to get out of our challenges, ” Nwodo said.
In his remarks, Gen. Zamani Lekwot, a former Military administrator of Rivers State said restructuring was the solution as the current structure could not cope with current realities.
“Some Nigerians are afraid of the word restructuring, but they can table these fear and we discuss it for better understanding so that the present structure does not collapse on all of us,” he said.
A historian and writer, Prof. Banji Akintoye, said there was an urgent need to restructure and return to federating units to discourage do or die politics, reduce power at the centre and build a stable nation.
An Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo described late Adesanya as a great leader who continued the principles for which progressive government was made.
He urged politicians to emulate the footsteps of Adesanya by propagating his principles of good governance, true federalism and restructuring to develop the country.
In her address, Mrs Dupe Adelaja, daughter of Late Adesanya, said the symposium was to draw on the memory of her father and remind Nigerians of his legacies.
Adelaja said her father and others like him struggled for democracy in Nigeria at a time when the prospect seemed bleak.
She urged politicians to emulate the ideals and legacies of her father to help resolve the challenges of the country.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor of Ogun State; Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State; and Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State.
APC chieftain, Chief Bisi Akande; KOWA Party chieftain, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, PDP chieftain, Chief Bode George, and former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Sen. Iyiola Omisore among others were also present.