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I still dey shout oh my piple. If una let IBB come back for 2007 na im be say alarm don blow again. - Tijani

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In fact, what this gentleman mallam failed to say is that it took Awo and Zik 72 hours to reach the accord, and guess what, it only took a phone call from the Premier's mansion in Kaduna to sway Zik to the NPC side. -by AD-dy

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That night, the Alliance was invited by the NPC to exchange views with its hierarchy on the possibility of our forming a coalition Government with it. I accepted the invitation and the venue was mutually agreed to be Kaduna. In the meantime, our intelligence service revealed that during the visit of the NPC leaders to Lagos, on the very Tuesday morning that the three Action Group emissaries were conferring with me at Zungeru Haven, at Onitsha, a certain leader of the Action Group was also conferring with the NPC leaders at Lagos offering to form a coalition Government with the NPC. This report was subsequently confirmed by both the AG and the NPC.

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We have summoned the National Executive Committee in order to report to our great party the role our members and supporters played during the recent Federal elections and to thank all who co-operated in order to ensure that the NCNC and the NEPU standards were hoisted and kept flying aloft on all the battle fronts of the nation, during the most hectic election in our national history.
On behalf of our Holy Alliance, may I thank our rank and file scattered over our country for their devotion to duty. The youth and women's wings of our various branches played their parts faithfully and loyally. The Zikist National Vanguard, the Dynamic Party, the Ghana NCNC, and the NEPU youth co-operated with the Alliance in all theatres of this extensive political conflict in order to reach the voters and persuade them to vote for the NCNC-NEPU Alliance.
Our gratitude also goes to the Federal Electoral Commission for its efficiency and to the millions of men and women, young and old, throughout Nigeria, who silently and religiously supported us and prayed for our ultimate victory. Although we did not win an over-all majority as we optimistically expected, yet our superior organization and our effective tactics baffled our perennial critics and earned the respect of the world. This has enabled us to demonstrate convincingly the nation-wide nature of the NCNC-NEPU Alliance.
The results of the Federal elections have been announced and no one party has emerged with an over-all majority. The final state of the Parties is as follows: NPC 142, NCNC-NEPU Alliance 90, Action Group 73, and Independents 7.
Analysed in detail, the NPC won 141 seats in the Northern Region and one seat in the Eastern Region. The NCNC-NEPU Alliance won 58 seats in the Eastern Region, 22 in the Western Region, 8 in the Northern Region, and two in Lagos. The Action Group won 33 seats in the Western Region, 26 in the Northern Region, 14 in the Eastern Region, and one in Lagos. The remaining seven seats won by the Independents are in the Western Region, the others having declared for one or other of the major parties.
TABLE 1. 1959 Federal Elections: State of the Parties
NPC NCNC- NEPU Action Group Independent
Totals
East 1 58 14 0 73
West 0 22 33 7 62
Lagos 0 2 1 0 3
North 141 8 26 0 174
Before the final position of the parties became crystal clear, the Governor-General committed a faux pas by prematurely appointing the leader of the NPC Parliamentary Party to become Prime Minister of Nigeria, apparently but wrongly assuming that his party would win all the remaining seats. Ultimately, the Governor-General's miscalculation created a disturbing situation which made Nigeria's political pendulum swing from one side to another, thus placing the whole nation in a state of suspended political animation.
On Monday evening, December 14, an accredited spokesman of the NPC had the courtesy to apprise me of the invitation of the Governor-General. On Tuesday morning, December 15, three emissaries of the Action Group paid me the compliment of a visit at Zungeru Haven, where I temporarily sojourned at Onitsha. Through its representatives, the Action Group invited the NCNC-NEPU Alliance to form a coalition Government with it. In accordance with the conventional practice in parliamentary democracies, the Alliance was offered the privilege of appointing the Prime Minister of Nigeria and the other matters discussed were postponed for determination by the Alliance.
I thanked the Action Group emissaries and assured them that I would convey their message to the appropriate quarters of my Party to enable me to be more categorical in my reply; but I made it clear that whilst I appreciated their good intentions in offering me the Prime Ministership, that post had not necessarily been my goal in the national struggle. I emphasized that all I personally desired was to see my country free from British rule and it made no difference to me what role I might play in the future political history of Nigeria, so long as I had the spiritual satisfaction of having associated myself with others in exacting from the British our sovereignty and independence without violence. They thanked me and after cordially exchanging greetings, they returned to Ibadan.
That night, the Alliance was invited by the NPC to exchange views with its hierarchy on the possibility of our forming a coalition Government with it. I accepted the invitation and the venue was mutually agreed to be Kaduna. In the meantime, our intelligence service revealed that during the visit of the NPC leaders to Lagos, on the very Tuesday morning that the three Action Group emissaries were conferring with me at Zungeru Haven, at Onitsha, a certain leader of the Action Group was also conferring with the NPC leaders at Lagos offering to form a coalition Government with the NPC. This report was subsequently confirmed by both the AG and the NPC.
A strategic meeting of the Alliance took place at Onitsha on the same Tuesday night, and it was decided to return the courtesy of the Action Group by despatching three NCNC emissaries to Chief Obafemi Awolowo at Ibadan to convey the message that, the NCNC-NEPU Alliance was studying the proposals of the Action Group and would contact it in due course, after the Party had taken a definite stand.
On Wednesday, 16th December, the Alliance despatched its emissaries to Kaduna, where frank exchanges of views were made on the possibility of forming a coalition Government. It was agreed to defer further discussion and to reconvene on Saturday at Lagos. Our aim was to be able to report progress and give adequate consideration to the proposals placed before us.
On Friday, 18th December, my colleagues and I arrived in Lagos and all the relevant issues were given impartial analysis. Two schools of thought emerged
after prolonged discussion. One school conceded that a coalition between the NCNC-NEPU Alliance and the Action Group would no doubt produce an efficient Government, but it was stressed that majority opinion in the Western Region would frown against such a coalition. Moreover, it was obvious that if the Alliance agreed to a coalition with the Action Group, then there might be a crisis within the Party with the Westerners probably breaking away and disorganizing
our great Party. The other school agreed that a coalition between the Alliance with the NPC would also produce an efficient, but with it, a stable Government; yet a strong body of influential opinion severely criticized such a coalition. Warnings were given that the NEPU might feel frustrated in view of its traditional struggle with the NPC. It was feared that this might create a schism in the Alliance.
On Saturday, 19th December, the issues were carefully reviewed and it was agreed that since the fundamental human rights had been entrenched in the Constitution, its denial or contravention could lead to litigation. The final factors which out weighed all other considerations were analysed and embarrassing
questions were asked the rostrum of the Alliance to answer:
Was it the NPC or the Action Group which confiscated the landed property of the National President of the NCNC and refused to pay him compensation on the pretext that a third party claimed the land, whilst in fact twelve parcels of land, formerly belonging to nine owners, were involved?
Was it the NPC or the AG who financed the lawyers who represented Mr E. O. Eyo
during the Foster-Sutton tribunal? Was it the NPC or the AG who financed the lawyers who, when they advocated for the C-O-R State before the Minorities Commission, insulted the Ibo people?
What Party always gives support to those who wish to destroy the NCNC and its leadership -is it the NPC or the AG? What Party hires and employs literary hacks to attack the persons of NCNC-NEPU leaders regularly, in and out of season? When an alliance existed between the NCNC and the Action Group in I953, did the Action Group have the courtesy to apprise the NCNC that it had planned to walk out of the Constitutional Conference, as a result of its failure to make Lagos remain part of the West, whose views were opposed to the NCNC?
Did not the Action Group unilaterally publish the text of a secret alliance which was solemnly negotiated by it and the NCNC in 1953? Did not the Action Group do the same thing in I953 in connection with its secret correspondence with the NPC? If these are facts, what guarantee has the Alliance that, like a lame dog helped over a stile, the AG will not revert to type as soon as it suits its purpose to do so?
These suspicions and apprehensions gripped the imagination of majority opinion of the NCNC-NEPU meeting and it was thought that in view of the cordiality which exists in the personal relationship of NCNC leaders and the NPC leaders, coupled with the fact that goodwill and mutual respect are very important to the successful existence of a Cabinet, especially in a coalition Government, the NEPU leaders should be persuaded to modify their attitude and give the NCNC leaders a fair chance to work out a modus vivendi for the three parties, namely: NPC, NCNC and NEPU, in the interest of national solidarity. I am happy to report that the NEPU leaders gave useful co-operation in this respect.
On Sunday, 20th December, the agreement constituting the coalition Government of the Federation was signed by the leaders of the NPC and the NCNC-NEPU Alliance and the conditions are regarded by both parties as satisfactory. The coalition Government will enable Nigeria to move forward with hope and confidence towards the date fixed for our independence.
It remains for me to allay the fears of our supporters regarding my personal role in this coalition. Of my own volition, I made it clear that I did not intend to
serve my country in any official capacity in this coalition Cabinet for personal reasons. I begged my colleagues to respect my feelings in this regard and not press me to change my decision on this issue, which is one of the very few irrevocable decisions in my life. They have been so understanding that they have given me full co-operation.
Every item in the Coalition Agreement was drafted and approved by all contracting parties with my full knowledge and consent. Satisfactory arrangements have been made about my present and future political status
in the scheme of things, and I am quite satisfied with them. From time to time, these arrangements will unfold themselves publicly and, in my humble opinion,
the people of Nigeria will have reason to be proud and not to regret. Honestly, we have done our very best in the circumstances to establish a coalition Government which is based on good faith and goodwill.
I would like to appeal to all men and women of goodwill in Nigeria to rally round this coalition Government and give it a fair chance to survive. If we believe in democracy as a way of life, then we must respect the will of the majority as collectively expressed at the polls, so long as such elections are free and fair; otherwise, our professions of belief in democracy will be a sham.
Chief Awolowo was right to say that all that was humanly possible and honourable was done by the Action Group to enter into a coalition Government with us; but our members had no faith in the leaders of this Action Group and so they opposed this coalition. May I humbly appeal to the Action Group to have second thoughts over the events of the past eight years of its existence in general, and the last three months in particular. I hope that its officers and members will agree with me that it is imperative that we give a healthy tone to the strategies and tactics of partisan politics in this country, if we are not to leave a legacy of mutual suspicion and distrust to our children. All political parties had spent large sums of money and expended a lot of energy in order not only to thrive but also to prosecute the Federal elections. In spite of this titanic effort, in spite of dissipation of our manpower and intellectual energies, no one party has emerged with an over-all majority. A coalition, therefore, becomes imperative and 'horse trading' has emerged as the order of the day, whilst the failures are consigned to the political wilderness.
I do not say that it is bad to form coalitions but it is my humble view that in forming them circumstances beyond the ken of man oblige one to pick and choose his friends mainly upon the human factor.
Is it possible that learning and professional skill can be blended with the milk of human kindness? Is it possible that the instruments of public opinion can be
used to build goodwill and fellowship among Nigerians, instead of their being used to exacerbate feelings and wantonly to attack the persons of our revered leaders, in our young country? Is it possible that the organs of political power may be used by our leaders to bring happiness to the inhabitants of our country, irrespective of their political affiliation or tribe or religion or station in life,
instead of being used to persecute political opponents?
These are the first essentials in the building of a nation. To win friends we must be friendly. To retain friendship we must demonstrate our good faith. And to
prove our good faith, we must be charitable in our disposition. Bitter recriminations can only re-open old wounds. The wounds may heal but the scars will remain.
May God give Nigerian leaders the wisdom to realize the futility of pursuing a vindictive policy against their political opponents. May God give them the tact
to mend their ways, so that in spite of their wealth, their knowledge and their wisdom they may be charitable to their fellow man and win his goodwill and fellowship. This is the basis of the righteousness which should exalt our nation. May the leaders of Nigeria profit from the lessons of history.

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of years of Igboman's backstabbing, betrayal, and you-know-what of the Yoruba???. Remember the block votes and the Yorubaman's inherent love for justice and fairplay?

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Our disagreements not withstanding I view you as more intelligent than most of your kin in here as such I expect more scholarly injection into these ideas from you

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The quote threw me off are you referring to your yoruba folks or did I miss some? Ohafia made all the points there is it's left for you to go figure. But before you do I'll like to know what part of my exchange with "tijani" was falsified or unbecoming.

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to the Igboman's implied sense of "serves-them-right" about June 12, to the near total acceptance of Olusegun Obasanjo in the polls in 1999. The list is endless!.

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Noting that Babangida played significant role in ensuring that what today remains as a legal entity called Nigeria was not compromised, the group said. It was sad to see Nigerians forget so soon the enormous contributions made by Babangida, adding that Babangida remained one time leader that had the cause of Nigeria at heart.

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IBB candidature splits CNPP
By Bolaji Adepegba

Senior Correspondent, Lagos



Attempts by former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida to advance his Presidential ambition in 2007 on a multi-party platform may have run into a hitch as the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) is polarised over his candidature.

The conference has listed it as part of the agenda of a meeting slated for August 23.

It was learnt that key aides of Babangida suggested the possibility of him running on a multi-party platform if he is unable to hijack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believed to be sympathetic to the quest of Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

However, CNPP members are said to have split into two camps, with the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), arguably one of the groups at the core of the multi- party platform, insisting that it would not back any Presidential aspirant outside the South East.

Pro-Babangida groups are said to have come up with strategies aimed at galvanising politicians across party lines to support his ambition as a prelude to having him run on a multi-party ticket.

To further achieve their aim, the loyalists plan launching books written on him across the six geo-political zones as well as organising workshops and seminars to boost his support.

One of such is the launch of Babangida’s biography, written by John Shagaya, scheduled for Owerri, Imo State today.

The event, to be chaired by APGA’s Presidential candidate in last year’s election, Odimegwu Ojukwu, is also expected to be attended by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as guest speaker and by former governors, among others.

Indications of a likely split in the CNPP were confirmed by APGA National Chairman Chekwas Okorie in an interview. He dismissed as untrue reports that Ojukwu accepting to chair the book launch amounts to dumping the party’s earlier position on the 2007 Presidential race.

Said he: “The party’s policy is irrevocable on the zoning of the Presidential ticket in 2007 to the South East. I am aware that the delegation led by Shagaya went to meet Ojukwu to ask him to be chairman of the launch. There is nothing wrong in that at all. And he has accepted, but that does not suggest that he would even be available on the said date to grace the occasion. In fact, I have seen his copy of the book and it is not in honour of IBB. It also contained some pointed policy flaws of the IBB years.”

But Okorie sees nothing wrong in Ojukwu attending the book launch as it does not suggest that such a move portends success for the pro-IBB groups.

On the other hand, CNPP Secretary Maxi Okwu, who is also a member of the APGA, said his group is yet to take a stand on Babangida’s candidature. However, he confirmed that his bid will be part of the agenda of the CNPP at its meeting on August 23.

Okwu, nonetheless, corroborated the statement of Okorie: “In APGA, we are not a part to the consideration of IBB as a candidate of all the parties”, a stand that clearly contradicts the move from other parties in the CNPP coalition.

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Daily Independent Online. * Monday, August 16, 2004.

2007: Only God can stop me, IBB tells critics

• Says no apology over June 12 polls annulment

•His customised vehicle number plates sell for N50,000

By Sukuji Bakoji

Bureau Chief (Kaduna)

and Don Bassey

Correspondent (Abuja)



Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida has lashed out at those who carpet him over his 2007 Presidential ambition, asserting that they are wasting their energy as only God can stop him.

And he says he owes no one any apology over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, presumed to have been won by late Moshood Abiola.

June 12 has become a dingdong affair, he explained, hence he will not bother himself to talk about it any more and that those calling on him to apologise should spare him the ordeal.

Babangida barred his mind in Funtua, Katsina State at the weekend when he paid a condolence visit to former Special Duties Minister Wada Nas on the death of his wife.

He described as an empty threat the recent press statement credited to former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, Sunday Mbang, that he will lead a crusade to scuttle his quest to return to Aso Rock.

“Mbang is a man of God and I am also a believer in God. So, if he is God, he can do whatever he likes”, Babangida said.

He said Mbang may decide to play God but no matter how hard he tries, he remains human and can not change the will of God.

According to him, only God can stop him from achieving his goal, not any human being; stressing that those who wish to try are at liberty to do so.

On the allegation by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and Tam David-West that he subverted the democratic system by nullifying the June 12, 1993 elections, he quipped: “This is democracy, both professors are entitled to their own opinions. They have the right to say anything they like. And neither of them is God. No problems”.

Also, fielding questions from newsmen, Wada Nas described Soyinka as an international coward who often forments trouble and scampers thereafter into self-exile abroad.

Nas debunked the assertion that he gate-crashed at the reception in honour of Soyinka at Kaduna recently, rather he argued that he was invited by former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.

To boost Babangida’s chances in the Presidential race, his hangers-on are raising campaign money for him by falling over themselves to buy his customised vehicle number plate “IBB 2007”. It sells for N50,000.

The first batch of the plate was seen at last Thursday’s congregation of a pro-IBB campaign group which met under the aegis of the “Eagle Group” at the International Women Centre, Abuja.

In attendance were several politicians, including past and serving members of the National Assembly, among them former House of Representatives Speaker Umar Ghali Na’Abba.

Sources close to Babangida’s rival for the post, Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s office said at the weekend that similar preparations are going on in the VP’s campaign team.

But unlike Babangida and Buba Marwa, another man in the hunt for the plum job, Atiku is said to be awaiting President Olusegun Obasanjo’s nod to make public his flyers, posters and other materials.

Marwa’s posters, with the inscription “Gaskiya Dokin Karfe: Marwa 2007”, now compete for space on most Abuja streets with those of Babangida’s “IBB: The Man for 2007”.

“Gaskiya Dokin Karfe” is Hausa for “Truth is a steel horse”.

So far, Atiku is the only one of the three leading Northern aspirants who does not have a poster on display in parts of the Federal Capital City.

An Atiku loyalist said: “The Vice President knows everything going on in Babangida and Marwa’s camps but there’s very little he can do about it for now. If he were to match each step of his 2007 opponents, governance would suffer.”

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