Former Edo State Governor and Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, praised the National Assembly under Senator Ken Nnamani for preventing the third term and life presidency agenda of former Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Oshiomhole said Obasanjo planned to transform himself into a president for life President like Paul Biya of Cameroon, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, if he had succeeded with the plan to amend the constitution to allow for the third term.
Speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the lecture titled “June 12 and Beyond: Reflecting on the Progress of Democracy and Security Concerns” to mark the June 12 celebration, Oshiomhole said the country should appreciate Nnamani
despite being in the same political party as Obasanjo.
Pointedly, Oshiomhole said, “By his decision to stand firm, to resist the pressure from President Obasanjo to do a third term, and maybe to become a life president, we will all celebrate him for that. So every leader at any level, what we do, what we obtain from doing, will be remembered.
“I have often argued that the National Assembly deserves credit for defending democracy. During the debate over the proposed third-term agenda, the Senate leadership allowed proceedings to be televised so that every senator would be publicly accountable for his vote.”
Also, Oshiomhole revealed that late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, was prepared to offer Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola anything in exchange for relinquishing his claim to the June 12, 1993, presidential mandate.
According to him, he was part of an NLC delegation that met with General Abacha in Abuja following the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.
His words, “General Abacha told us he was ready to tolerate anything and do anything for MKO Abiola. The one thing he was not ready to tolerate was the idea that Abiola had proclaimed himself President of Nigeria.”
The former governor noted that despite mounting pressure and several attempts to persuade Abiola to accept conditions for his freedom, the late politician remained resolute in defending the mandate given to him by Nigerians.
Oshiomhole recalled that government officials and intermediaries repeatedly urged Abiola to renounce his claim to the presidency in exchange for his release from detention, but he refused.
His words: “He told those who sent us that he was elected President of Nigeria and would not sell the mandate entrusted to him by the Nigerian people.”
The senator representing Edo North at the National Assembly described Abiola’s stance as a demonstration of courage, patriotism, and selflessness, stressing that the late business mogul chose principle over personal comfort and survival.
He said Abiola believed he could not betray the millions of Nigerians who sacrificed their time and livelihoods to vote for him during the historic election.
He said, “Those market women, farmers, students, and workers who queued to vote for him made sacrifices. He felt he could not monetise or compromise their sweat by accepting any condition other than the recognition of their mandate.”
Oshiomhole said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has persuaded the National Assembly to rework the aspect of the constitution that will accommodate the State Police. He said the constitutional amendment would be done piecemeal to check insecurity in the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the state police would allow the governors to fight insecurity in their respective states without waiting for a directive from the President.
His words, “For us in Ondo state, we have been ready for a long time. Even during the time of my late predecessor. I am also a member of the government, which I inherited.
“For us in Ondo state, we have the structure. We have the people, and all that is left is the equipment.
“To further equip them. Yes, we have some equipment already that the law permits. But we need to further fortify them with more sophisticated equipment. That will make them more effective and functional in discharging their duties.”
