A former chieftain of the Associations for Better Nigeria (ABN), Otunba Abimbola Davis has revealed how powerful forces in the Nigerian military elongated the tenure of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and how the former military ruler was forced to annulled the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
He said, “It was a dynamic era. Babaginda was the President and nothing could be done without him because he was, indeed, a Military President. I will not say more than that on this issue. I advise that our people should wait for my book for further details, thank you”.
He made this revelation while featuring on a weekly radio show, Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Splash 105.5FM, Felele Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State recently.
Speaking on his relationship with late Chief Arthur Nzeribe and ABN “Well, people always think that ABN was one association. No. It was called Associations for Better Nigeria; it was a kind of amalgamation. I was deployed to go to Arthur Nzeribe to direct him to merge all the associations, and for me to act as the Director of Operations and monitor all the programs. My relationship with Nzeribe was cordial until it got to the stage when I met Chief Moshood Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party”.
Davies further revealed how he advised MKO Abiola to stop the court injunction of June 10, 1993, and how Abiola waved aside his advice because of his trust in his friendship with Ibrahim Babangida.
“Maybe the election would not have been annulled if Chief Abiola had played his own role very well. A group of members of ABN went to meet and inform him to take certain things seriously, but he believed too much in his friend saying you cannot know my friend more than I do. Deji Adeleke can attest to the fact that we tried our best on the situation but you know how the Yorubas believe too much in ‘Kadara’ fate.
Speaking further, “My relationship with Arthur Nzeribe was cordial until I left to support Abiola. I risked everything for him and the likes of Dele Momodu, you, Olayinka Agboola, Oba Adedokun Abolarin can attest to it. It is not good to listen to one side of a story…”
Speaking of his relationship with Chief MKO Abiola and other political bigwigs, “If I could recall, it was a great honour being among the power players. I have played my roles, I never believed I was powerful, it is good to be used by the president than any other senseless persons”.
While still talking about his relationship with late Nzeribe, he stated the late ABN chief was a prudent man who managed time and resources absolutely very well. He also quoted Nzeribe as telling him that “Since I was young, I have realized the importance of not allowing any time to be wasted. For any little time, think of what you can do in 20 years to come”.
Davis said this statement by Nzeribe has been “a kind of scripture of to me”.
The brilliant Nigerian further narrated how his yet to be published book will reveal many mysteries concerning the June 12 election. “My book, titled ‘Dancing with the Devil and the Saints, my June 12 memoirs’ will be a reference point even though I missed some things in my projections; I was actually waiting for Arthur Nzeribe and Ibrahim Babangida to release their memoirs before publishing mine”.
He had this to say on the current state of Nigeria’s democracy, “Our politicians are not ready to nurture democracy. I have not seen any era including the Shehu Dikko era where money was stolen more than the current dispensation. There is no accountability, lot of lies, deceit”.
Chief Davies further lampooned the current administration for being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to do the needful by ensuring good governance.
Speaking on the current ASUU strike, “The lecturers have a contract with the students. There is no school in Nigeria that is absolutely free. When ASUU goes on strike, they are indirectly breaching their agreement with the students. For every year of strike, there is denial of student’s lives and rights”.
On the issue of the presidential primary election in APC and other political parties, “As far as I am concerned the most powerful entity remains the President. The decision lies with him and he determines who will emerge as the party’s candidate, he has about 60% input on the person that will fly the party’s ticket.
Continuing, “The whole scenario is very interesting. It is good that we are having high number of candidates from the southwest vying for the presidential seat. I believe at one time or the other there will be mutual understanding among the candidates on who should flag the party’s ticket. The ticket will be narrowed down to one person but if others will now agree to that one person is another thing entirely”.
Davis also had this to say about the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in Oyo State, “He is my good younger brother but his administration lacks something, which is not a good thing to lack in a great society. I think his government does not believe in publicity, the way Senator Abiola Ajimobi will celebrate a gutter for a bridge.
On the gubernatorial election, it is APC against Makinde. I believe so much in Bayo Adelabu because of his intelligence. I once wrote a column in a paper where I subscribed to the idea that it will be good if Seyi Makinde and Bayo Adelabu will be contesting. Teslim Folarin too is another outstanding politician while Prof. Adeolu Akande should not be written off too. Talking of resourcefulness, intelligence, I will support Adeolu Akande”.
Speaking on why is he not in politics, “I choose not to do politics for personal reasons; I cannot function effectively as a Nigeria politician”.
He, however, counseled Nigeria politicians to shun the use of thugs, character assassination, hooliganism, urging them to go by the rules of the game.
Otunba Abimbola Davis is a member of the prestigious Ibadan Golf Club, a writer who has authored six books and the chairperson of a group of companies.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi, Dare Raji, Mayowa Owogbade, Olawale Awe and Timilehin Fasoro
