I met Senator Opeyemi Bamidele once, while he served as the Sports Commissioner in Lagos State when President Bola Tinubu was the Governor. I was not surprised at his attitude all through our meeting because he only confirmed what I heard about him when he was in University of Benin, Uniben.
I met now Senator Adams Oshiomhole, by virtue of his position as the Labour leader then, at several meetings. But, like late Chief Gani Fawehinmi said about him, I found out, he is not a man to be very closely attached to.
In 1993, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu of Blessed Memory organised the freest, fairest, most credible and transparent election in the history of Nigeria till date. It is not debatable.
It was that election that produced MKO Abiola as President, even though, the military denied him such. It was not the fault of Nwosu not to declare the results. He was blocked from every angle. Militarily, legally and physically. What powers did he have?
Prof. Nwosu was humiliated, attacked, assaulted, brutalized, his family threatened and his rights abused. It was all hinged on his insistence in organizing a decent election.
If MKO Abiola was sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I suspect nothing would have stopped him from honouring Prof. Nwosu for a good electoral job.
Some of us are saying Nwosu was not bold, courageous to have announced the election result. Yet, he continued releasing the results that assured Nigerians and the world that MKO Abiola won that election.
Was President Tinubu bold and courageous when he escaped abroad during the June 12 struggle? How many of us can speak against our tormentors when a gun is pointed at our head? Perhaps, Prof. should have run out of the country? We were here. We faced the tanks, bullets, tear gas, brutality of the police and soldiers.
Those campaigning against this honour on Prof. Nwosu are, to me, naive; they don’t have the spirit of appreciation. They are not open minded, they are promoting tribal sentiments.
These naysayers of honouring Prof. Nwosu are hypocrites. How can you honour MKO Abiola, recognize June 12 without honouring Prof. Nwosu, the man who gave us the tripod upon which we stand to keep talking of the sanctity of June 12? I really don’t understand?
Did Opeyemi Bamidele not know that MKO Abiola also betrayed our struggle? Some of us know and people have written about it. Where was Adams Oshiomhole during the June 12 struggle? Was he part of the struggle then?
Of course, some of our brothers and sisters from the South East could be right when they allege it’s because he was Igbo. Ordinarily, such a suggestion by one of the members of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe should have been expressly embraced and passed.
What is wrong in naming the INEC headquarters after Prof. Humphrey Nwosu? A man who conducted the freest and fairest election in Nigeria? Why are we always playing unnecessary politics on issues that should bring us closer?
President Tinubu should for the sake of openness do the needful. He should recognize Prof. Humphrey Nwosu for conducting the most successful election in Nigeria. He should right a wrong that’s been staring us in the face since June 12, 1993.
POSTSCRIPT
Watching clips of the triumphant entry of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her home town in Kogi proved that, indeed this woman is truly an amazon.
This woman demystified all the evil machinations of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the IGP, Gov. Adodo and Yahaya Bello in trying to stop her home coming rally and celebrate the Eid Mubarak with her constituents.
Thousands of her constituents, men and women, youths, children, religious, traditional, traders, artisans, professionals, student groups were on the streets to welcome their heroine.
Sen. Akpabio was deceived. He has lost huge millions to some smart Kogi guys who promised total blockade of Sen. Natasha’s entry to Kogi and, not allowing any kind of convoy or procession in her support.
But they FAILED. There was no stopping this fearless woman. She showed her real popularity and quality. Those still interested in her unrealistic recall may have to be arrested by shame. Sorry!
Sen. Akpabio must now save himself from further disgrace and destruction. He should quietly send some friends to approach Sen. Natasha for a peaceful resolution. Else … .
