#Late Chief Anthony Enahoro | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

upshotre · 5 years

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Not Too Young To Run Fruits

By Tony Ademiluyi In 2018 the Nigerian National Assembly passed the not too young to run bill which President Muhammadu Buhari gave his presidential assent to. The general public praised both parties for the realization of this bill as the polity is extremely hostile to youths playing key roles in it. Many youths are marginalized to the point of being mere bag carriers and in some tragic cases, thugs for the ruling elite who don’t want to let go of the sweet elixir of power. The then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had its youth leader who was well over fifty years of age. Things were not always like this in the so called ‘Giant of Africa’. How did we get to this sorry state? Once upon a time, youths were entrusted with gargantuan responsibilities that made them stand tall amongst their peers and elders alike. Matthew Mbu was the Minister for Labour and Productivity at the age of 23 in 1954 long before he went to the United Kingdom to study law and end up as a world renowned diplomat. Anthony Eromosele Enahoro became the nation’s youngest editor at the age of twenty-one when he edited the Daily Comet, one of the newspapers in the stables of the Zik Group of Newspapers in 1944. He did this without a university degree. He moved the motion for our independence from Great Britain at the age of thirty in 1953. His younger brother, Peter Enahoro a.k.a Peter Pan edited the Sunday Times under the Daily Times stable at the age of twenty-three in 1958 and became the Editor of the Daily times at twenty-nine in 1964. Like his elder brother, he possessed no university degree. The late Bola Ige became the Organizing Secretary of the Action Group at the age of twenty-three in 1953. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe started the struggle for our independence at the age of thirty-three in 1937 when he founded the irascible West African Pilot. Chief Obafemi Awolowo influenced the election of Ernest Ikoli who won the Presidency of the Nigerian Youth Movement at the age of thirty-two in 1941. Ernest Ikoli himself edited the Daily Times at the age of thirty-three in 1926 when the paper was founded. Prof. Pat Utomi became the political adviser to the then President Shehu Shagari at the age of twenty-seven in 1983 and Acting Managing Director of the now moribund Volkswagen of Nigeria at the age of thirty-five in 1991. Atedo Peterside started the Investment Bank and Trust Company (IBTC) at age thirty-three in 1989. I can go on and on of the monumental achievements of these illustrious Nigerians in their youth when they were still in their prime. The military intervention which destroyed the fabric of the nation and the attendant brain drain and exile of the brightest and the best to foreign lands especially the west left the youths without adequate mentors and led to this current trend of the breeding of overgrown babies who are literarily still in the diapers well into their fifties in some sad instances. It was with joy that the bill that was barely signed a year ago has started yielding fruits as the likes of Adebo Ogundoyin got elected as the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly at the age of thirty-two, Abok Ayuba emerged as the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly at thirty-three, Yakubu Danladi became the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly at the age of thirty-four. Indeed this new trend at the States Houses of Assemblies is cheering news as the youths will be in charge of their elders in the various assemblies. These youths are officially the number three men in their states and can even initiate impeachment proceedings against their governors. The bill was a good omen to the beleaguered polity which was earnestly yearning for progressive reforms. This change has to find its way to the federal level where the oldies still holds firmly sway. The various political parties should de-monetize the process that leads to the emergence of their leaders so that the youths who are economically disenfranchised will be able to muzzle their way through. We need to encourage politics of ideas and vision rather than the stomach infrastructure politics made popular by the likes of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu amongst many others who valued the belly more than the medulla oblongata. For starters, the amount spent to purchase the nomination forms should be reduced so as not to discourage brilliant but indigent young aspirants. The practice of consensus candidacy should also be abrogated as it makes a mockery of the wonderful idea of the party primaries which is meant to bring out the best in the candidates for the larger benefit of the electorate who have been receiving the short end of the stick since the return to democracy two decades ago. The electorate clearly deserves better and the soothing balm they need is for more younger and cerebral people to be attracted to politics. The polity should be made less attractive. It’s an avenue for selfless service and should be run on a part time basis especially the legislature. The do or die nature should give way for passion if the large perks are done away with. The assassinations, electoral manipulations, financial impropriety will not abate if the stakes are too high. Politics should stop being the last resort to wealth making when all options fail. In the west, politicians are among the poorest professionals. Bill Clinton left office in 2001 after over two decades in politics in debt. His millions came from his speaking engagements and his book writing. Tony Blair became a Member of Parliament at thirty in 1983 and was in partisan politics for twenty-four years which didn’t make him a millionaire. His millions came after he stepped down from Number Ten Downing Street in 2007 from speaking deals and consultancy assignments. The practice of our legislators being the highest paid in the world for doing next to nothing especially those who are either absentees or perpetual bench warmers should cease forthwith. The ascension of Ogundoyin and co is a sign of greater things to come. We hope this can be speedily replicated at the federal level so that the dividends of democracy can be better felt by the hapless hoi polloi who have been emotionally and physically battered since 1999. Ademiluyi writes from Lagos. Read the full article

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mastcomm · 4 years

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Anthony Enahoro: Buhari’s phoney pardon, Obasanjo and all that

Pa Anthony Enahoro: received posthumous phoney pardon from Buhari

By Peter Enahoro (Peter Pan)

Older heads within the Enahoro clan know sufficient about political state pardons to not get excited by it.

It’s not a pension annuity, not a struggle ornament or a medal for distinctive providers to society. You don’t even get to have a handshake with the President.

What’s to have fun?

You don’t get a State Pardon for smoking a pipe in church. It’s a must to have been in jail or had your popularity wrongfully dragged via hell. You’re then informed, “your sins are forgiven you” and it’s possible you’ll not have sinned in any respect, as we’re at present witnessing within the case of my late brother, Tony versus President Buhari’s pathetic propaganda machine.

I’d thought controversy surrounding the announcement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s so-called posthumous state pardon for Professor Ambrose Ali and my brother, Chief Anthony Enahoro, would have subsided by now.

I famous the studied silence on the federal government facet concerning Tony’s properties. Greater than thirty years after the properties had been seized, what’s their seemingly standing at the moment? I do know that one of many properties (on Amodu Tijani Shut, Victoria Island, Lagos) handed from the desk of late Admiral Akhigbe when he was Lagos State Governor, to Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s possession when he (Akhigbe) was Chief of Employees in Abdulsalami’s authorities.

I believed, wrongly, it will develop into self-evident that there was nothing to pardon Tony for as social media and different printed commons exploded.

After which Buhari.

What introduced him into this? Staggering sleepless nights? A conscience revolt? A fast session with a Senegalese marabout maybe? I puzzled why Buhari’s feeble propagandists needlessly trapped him in a political manoeuvre trailing again to Edo State and a dissembling rivalry between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole, who’s a political godfather in his personal thoughts.

I used to be irritated that official Twitter account stated Buhari pardoned “5 convicted folks”. Tony was not convicted, he was indicted. I believed the error was a matter of literacy and left it at that. Later, I used to be glad attorneys agreed with me.

If Tony had been alive, he would have rejected Buhari’s phoney pardon.

I do know this as a result of I used to be immediately concerned in a situation that will have offered alternative for Tony to have a one-on-one secluded assembly with departing President Ibrahim Babangida in 1993. The matter of his properties certainly would have been on the agenda. Tony turned down the possibility. If a gathering occurred he wished it “on impartial floor”. That scuppered it.

Tony steadfastly maintained his innocence. He would do nothing that threatened to compromise his dignity, akin to accepting unsolicited favours.

He met with President Obasanjo on intervention by our cousin, the late Tony Anenih. No one in uniform had executed worse than Obasanjo to humiliate Tony and attempt to destroy his political picture.

An end result of their assembly in Abuja, to which Obasanjo grandly despatched a airplane to fetch him from Benin, was then President Obasanjo’s provide that Tony ought to nominate 5 candidates for political appointments. Tony didn’t increase the difficulty of his sequestered properties. And he didn’t nominate anybody for a job with Obasanjo. He was a proud man to the final. God bless his soul.

The primary anniversary of “June 12” was arising. Abacha’s Authorities had intelligence about deliberate widespread demonstrations. I took a message from Abacha regime to Tony in Port Harcourt, the place he was in jail detention. I ought to inform Tony it had been determined to launch him on situation he gave his phrase he wouldn’t take part an indication or subject statements.

I ended over in Benin to take his eldest son, Ken, with me. Ken delivered a transferring message from his mom. Tony’s response was easy. He wouldn’t give an enterprise he was unsure he may fulfil. He was prepared to stay within the solitary floor flooring room within the College of Port Harcourt campus with its completely shut curtains the place he had been briefly transferred when his well being deteriorated within the jail cell he shared with two others. That was the brother I had.

His political enemies got here to know that behind that exterior allure was a person of robust resolve.

Buhari’s curious pardon is just not the primary merciless turmoil surrounding Tony and State Pardons.

There was the “Queen’s Pardon” within the years previous Independence.

Chief Awolowo had named him for Ministerial appointment in his Western Area Cupboard within the fifties. The then Governor of Western Area, Sir John Rankin, refused assent as a result of Tony had not been granted the Queen’s Pardon for the three phrases of imprisonment he’d served as an offending journalist.

The costs for which he stood trial had been clear reduce. The primary time was for a wartime remark in assist of a employees’ strike for pay rise. Tony criticised the unwisdom of elevating the Governor’s wage simply then. He was jailed 9 months.

The second time was when addressing an indoor viewers in Burutu he urged the police to refuse to shoot at demonstrators. The sentence this time was eighteen months.

The third and closing British conviction was when he turned up at Glover Memorial Corridor in Lagos to listen to his Zikist Motion associates current their ready paper titled “A Name to Revolution”, which was timed to be learn concurrently at chosen rallies throughout Nigeria.

In line with the organizers, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe after whom the Motion was named had promised to chair the rally. When it grew to become apparent he wasn’t going to show up, twenty-five-year-old Tony Enahoro, lately out of a second time period in jail for sedition, was summoned from the viewers and invited to take the chair.

As quickly as the primary speaker started to learn the seditious doc, plain-clothes policemen mounted the rostrum, arrested all on it and took them to lockup. In courtroom, the decide rejected the lawyer’s plea that Tony had no foreknowledge of the paper’s fiery content material and despatched him to the cooler for six months.

Processing the request for Queen’s Pardon was procedural. No lobbying of a Buckingham Palace cabal. And the Queen, who’d by no means dedicated an act of treason by overthrowing a democratically elected authorities, didn’t count on her praises to be sung by Tony’s household.

Tony was serving a ten-year sentence (decreased from 15 years) when the “Revenge Coup” that took Gowon to energy blew up in our faces in 1966. He was launched and pardoned by Gowon in whose Cupboard he served for 9 years. Gowon appointed him Commissioner for Data and Labour and later Particular Duties, making him the civilian politician closest to the seat of energy.

It was a sign of how effectively the 2 received on collectively on private phrases.

To be a favorite civilian in a navy regime promotes you to a lion’s den. It additionally implies that outdoors of that dangerous enclosure there are lions on the prowl able to eat you to your error, akin to when you neglect you don’t have a gun. People who carry facet arms have the primary and the final say.

Tony had three issues for which he wanted to look at his again. The least of those was hypothesis that the primary post-military rule chief can be an ethnic minority. A proponent of Tony’s candidacy was J.S. Tarka, the outstanding Center Belt minorities chief.

A second downside was Muritala Muhammed. This got here out of Gowon’s frequent use of Tony as emissary on international missions. It could have began as a result of apart from Normal Yakubu Gowon who was Head of State, Tony Enahoro’s identify was arguably essentially the most simply recognised internationally within the Cupboard, notably within the UK.

Tony fled Nigeria having evaded arrest that will have led to a cost of treasonable felony. The thought was to develop into the general public face of the Opposition Motion Group overseas. He moved from Ghana to Eire which had no extradition treaty with Nigeria. England would have been the extra appropriate base, for causes of nearer ties.

Pals and British political sympathisers had been assured by authorities that he may reside advert conduct his illustration freely in England.

Tony arrived quietly in London. The third night time Scotland Yard detectives got here and took him away to Brixton Jail awaiting extradition to Nigeria to face a cost of treasonable felony.

Nigerian authorities attorneys had found an previous regulation below which the British authorities was obliged to repatriate a fugitive Dominion or Empire citizen sought by his nation to face trial.

British public opinion was outraged by the way of Tony’s arrest. Newspapers cried foul at what they judged a grimy trick that lured Tony to Britain.

Tony’s attorneys argued that the cost was political, that their shopper wouldn’t obtain a good trial.

The federal government’s attorneys countered strongly that Nigerian courts could possibly be British. The judges and magistrates graduated in Legislation in Britain. They wore black capes and had been adorned in wigs.

Tony was repatriated. When he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment the uproar within the British Parliament led to a overview of the Fugitive Offender’s Act. Not is a Commonwealth fugitive sought by his nation robotically repatriated. There should be a courtroom trial and if there’s a trace of political motive the request shall be refused. Tony’s ordeal did that.

Dr Okoi Arikpo was Commissioner for Exterior Affairs nevertheless it was Tony who led the Federal delegation to Addis Ababa to face Ojukwu. It was Tony that led the crew for peace talks with a Biafra illustration in Kampala.

The Civil Warfare reached a stage at which it grew to become strategically very important to knock out Uli airstrip, Biafra’s solely remaining outlet to the world. Britain was reluctant to provide lengthy vary weapons essential for the operation.

British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who had an uncomfortably small majority in parliament had issues inside his Labour Celebration and throughout the aisle in parliament over the Federal Authorities’s dealing with of the struggle.

Two points had been particularly discovered unpalatable: third Marine Commando’s commander “Black Scorpion” Adekunle’s unscrupulous order to his troops to “shoot something that strikes and something that doesn’t transfer.”

The opposite was a crazed bloodbath in Asaba by Federal troops below the command of Murtala Muhammed whose two disastrous makes an attempt to land troops in Onitsha had been expensive in lives misplaced. British Intelligence had been unimpressed concerning the whisky and marijuana as effectively.

The British wished the 2 males relieved of their command to ease issues for Wilson, so the federal government may significantly think about supplying the requested weapons.

This was the message Tony introduced again from London.

For those who don’t just like the message shoot the messenger.

Phrase will need to have reached Muhammed that redeployment was a definite possibility. It was a measure of his energy and indiscipline that he took off to hometown Kano, to go and sulk in the midst of a struggle. In the meantime, kudos for Tony was his delegation’s success in persuading Moscow, the place George Kurubo, former Chief of Air Employees was a useful ambassador, to offer the weapons that shot down Ulli.

Tony grew to become a marked man with the Muhammed camp.

Extra was to comply with.

It got here quickly sufficient within the particular person of Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo. Uncouth the place just a little finesse would have higher served his function, OBJ is a bully who doesn’t neglect, doesn’t forgive. He then was Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing.

What set him on a collision course with Tony was that the Minister of Data had full duty for the Second World Black and African Pageant of African Arts and Tradition, a mouthful identified merely as Festac.

Crucially, realisation of Festac Village was in Tony’s purview.

He was in London having problem attempting to barter a mortgage of priceless Emotan bust, image of the pageant. The British Museum feared that Nigeria wouldn’t return the stolen Benin artwork treasure.

It was within the midst of this consideration that Obasanjo rang from Rome to say he had organized for Tony to carry talks with a constructing firm that specialised in prefabricated housing. Prefab would scale back the price of constructing Festac Village. And sooner too, so was the proposition.

How previous was Obasanjo when African American Firm (Afamaco) gave prefab bungalows a reputation to not keep in mind in Nigeria? Successful report made “Afamaco” a synonym for sham. There was no actual enthusiasm for Obj’s concrete slabs.

Though Tony thought it impolite that Obasanjo didn’t seek the advice of him earlier than committing him to fulfill the Italians, he despatched his Everlasting Secretary – future Governor of Bauchi State, Tartari Ali – to Rome.

By and by, Commissioners had been popping out of a Cupboard assembly, Obasanjo stated in a raised voice from behind Tony, “Chief-I-arranged-for-you-to-meet-some-people. You despatched any individual else!” It was a rebuke and Tony replied in variety, “You organized a gathering for Rome; with out asking my plans. I despatched my principal adviser.” You discuss like that to Obj? Haven’t you learn his memoir, “My Command”. He singlehandedly gained the civil struggle. Effectively, nearly.

Murtala took his revenge on the person his “revenge coup” of 1966 helped make Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. He overthrew Gowon. Fact be informed, it was a populist coup. Gowon had been lengthy in workplace, in a rustic the place folks love change for the sake of change.

Gowon was in Kampala attending an OAU Summit. His crew was gathered round him when Muhammed was talked about as the brand new chief. Tony blurted, “What?! That mad man?” The suspicion was that champion of the “talakawa”, Aminu Kano, gave his fellow Kano son, Murtala, an account of who stated what.

Murtala was charging about like a raging bull, with outpouring of coverage bulletins that happy his city constituents baying for retribution in need of bloodshed on Gowonites. That was the ambiance by which a Federal Property Investigation Panel was appointed. With Muhammed and Obasanjo heading the regime was there any shock that Festac was a serious goal of curiosity?

Tony had returned from Kampala assured he had nothing to concern. Nevertheless, sure Press feedback indicated that some particular person or individuals had been briefing negatively in opposition to Festac, suggesting a marketing campaign.

The hostility was evident when Tony appeared earlier than the Panel. He was requested, “Chief, what number of financial institution accounts do you will have overseas?” Tony stated the query shocked him. He went on that he’d learn statements within the Press stated to be by authoritative sources near the Panel claiming he had a number of international financial institution accounts.

These had not been denied.

He’d anticipated to be confronted with these ‘international financial institution accounts’. The very query what number of accounts he had presumed he had any. He felt the Panel had already reached its conclusion on him. The listening to was a present.

Authorities didn’t launch the Panel’s report. As an alternative it printed a White Paper by which it claimed the Panel indicted Tony.

Tony had nevertheless seen the unique report. He knew what it stated. What the Panel acknowledged was, “Chief Enahoro refused to cooperate with the Panel”. On that foundation, he challenged the federal government to publish the unique.

He was at residence in Benin when safety operatives arrived from Lagos to conduct a seek for what they stated was a secret doc. They didn’t discover no matter they had been searching for.

On to Lagos in handcuffs they took him to Ikoyi Resort the place they knew he stored rooms. They discovered the report along with his annotations in ink. The searchers weren’t glad along with his clarification of how the key state doc got here into his possession. They took him to Moloney Road Police headquarters for continued interrogation.

Three weeks later a decide ordered his launch on his spouse’s petition for habeas corpus. He nevertheless was rearrested outdoors the courtroom and brought again to Police Hq. This time his spouse, Helen, went straight off to see Gen. Musa Yar’Adua.

Hours of ready paid off. The Quantity Two man in Obasanjo’s navy administration known as up Inspector-Normal of Police M. D. Yussuf. Why was Chief Enahoro re-arrested? Orders from the highest man, the IG retorted. If the courtroom says he ought to be discharged so it ought to be, stated Yar’Adua overruling the boss.

Helen reported she was on the door when Yar’Adua stopped her. “Madam, please inform Chief to attempt to see the Head of State.” Yar Adua claimed he as soon as requested why there was all of the palaver with Chief Enahoro and quoted Obasanjo saying it was being sorted, including, “go away it to us Southerners.”

Tony was extra upset concerning the allegation that he had acted corruptly than concerning the reality his properties had been seized. He insisted they had been properties he acquired earlier than his serving within the Federal Authorities. I believe although deeply damage, he believed it was solely a matter of time earlier than the folly can be uncovered. He was fairly content material to go away protests within the fingers of his buddy and lawyer, Kessington Momoh.

Obasanjo had been vindictive.

His letter ordering Tony to vacate his Ministerial quarters was brusque and callous. I personally have a philosophy that if a brute writes a impolite letter be impolite again!

Tony stored his public profile cool, the ache and embarrassment was contained within the letter he wrote solely to his sister and brothers. He categorically denied he’d executed something to disgrace us. He laid the blame for the pernicious assaults on his particular person, on the toes of Obasanjo. He stated he’d thought lengthy and exhausting why. He may suppose solely of Obasanjo’s disappointment at not securing Festac Village for his Italian associates. Set the damage apart, there didn’t look like a menace that the Property Investigation Panel’s indictment can be taken to the subsequent degree: i.e., prosecution.

The 12 months I returned to experiment with resettling in Nigeria was when President Babangida’s govt returned property seized by Muritala/Obasanjo regime. I knew nothing of this. It was a very long time after the Gazette announcement {that a} buddy at golf requested if I knew why my brother was excluded from “the generosity”.

I confessed my ignorance. However I did suppose why would they try this? Right here we go once more.

My informer stated, “I’m certain Chief is aware of the correct folks, however he refuses to do the correct factor.” Mafia script. He will need to have seen The Godfather.

Tony knew I’d made the acquaintance of Vice-President Augustus Aikhomu. It will have been very in contrast to him or any of my brothers to ask me to intercede. If I proposed it, fantastic.

My mother and father handed on throughout my first sortie in exile. Perhaps by means of compensation for not being at both funeral I travelled to go to their graves as incessantly as I may throughout a four-year stint in Nigeria. On one among my visits, I used to be returning to Lagos and coming as much as Admiral Aikhomu’s walled compound within the coronary heart of Irrua City, I made a decision to make an unplanned cease for a fast “hey”. It was Boxing Day. Coming into the lounge I recognised solely three faces among the many Vice President’s visitors: Cousin Anenih, Chief Tom Ikimi and Edo State Governor Oyegun. Strangers all put me on my guard.

I used to be thrown when Aikhomu stated to me, “Ah, Peter you’ll reside lengthy. We had been simply speaking about you and your brother. Why he has by no means supported us. He goes previous my home each day on his approach to Uromi. He has by no means stopped by to say hey.”

I couldn’t say one thing jokey immediately, which might have been my choice, so I stated the very first thing that got here into my head: “Admiral, he may say you’ve by no means invited him.”

Aikhomu pressed his case: “He calling doesn’t want invitation. You suppose Tony Enahoro can be on the gate and anyone will cease him?”

I requested to make use of the telephone. I known as Tony, informed him the place I used to be and narrated the proceedings precisely as had occurred. He agreed with my reasoning that the Vice President had by no means invited him to his residence. At my request Tony agreed to say this to the VP himself.

My understanding was that they’d by no means beforehand spoken.

Aikhomu was visibly thrilled on the finish of their temporary chat. He took a be aware pad and wrote, “Owanlen, you already know you might be at all times welcome in my residence”. Owanlen, actually “sensible man” is an on a regular basis Esan tackle to an older man, therefore its connotation, respectfully is, “My Elder”. Aikhomu was beaming disarmingly. He took the telephone and dialled a quantity. IBB was on the different finish. He was scheduled to go to Benin as a part of a tour earlier than stepping apart.

Aikhomu stated to him, “Once you come to Benin I’ve an enormous shock for you. I’ve Peter Enahoro right here. You’ll meet Tony Enahoro one on one. Simply the 2 of you. You’ll ask why he by no means supported us.”

I delivered the be aware within the sealed envelope to Helen. Tony was having a nap. I informed Helen the content material. She was happy. Naively the difficulty of the properties had not been on my thoughts.

Not one bit.

I ended by Tony’s the subsequent morning. Chief Olu Akpata was presiding over the bottle of gin he stored in Tony’s home for a refreshing after golf, as a result of he was now not allowed it at residence. I received a tongue lashing from him. “You’re a silly boy,” Chief Akpata swore at me.

“You introduced an insulting letter from Aikhomu. He says your brother ought to come to his home. It’s he who ought to come right here and apologise for the nonsense they’re doing.”

On the time a 24-hour surveillance examine was posted in entrance of Tony’s compound in Benin. The black Peugeot salon quantity adopted him wherever he went.

Tony tried to mitigate my sin. “Pete since will probably be the primary time of assembly I believe it ought to be on impartial grounds. It may be in your own home after I’m in Lagos.”

It took me two days to summon the braveness to name the Vice President.

A gathering wasn’t going to occur, I informed him. He laughed. “Don’t fear,” “We all know your brother. Once I didn’t hear from you, I knew what will need to have occurred.”

After Tony handed on, my late brother, Christian, was introduced in by Tony’s kids to assist out. He was appalled by what he noticed in what I described because the Obasanjo Papers. Christian recommended the 2 of us as elders of Tony’s start household ought to petition President Jonathan, urging him to order the return of Tony’s properties to his kids.

President Jonathan referred the petition to a standing committee, Civil Service fashion.

The committee wrote to us in language solely Civil Servants that means to frustrate are able to. We went no additional. My perception is that our petition was laid to relaxation lifeless below a heap of bureaucratic claptrap.

Copies had across the identical time gone to the Governors of Lagos and Edo States soliciting their assist. Governor Fashola of Lagos was extremely supportive, mentioning specifically Akhigbe’s extraordinary cheek the way in which he disposed of it to his buddy, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Adams Oshiomhole was Governor of our residence State. We anticipated the little man to behave large and take a lead in defence of Tony. He didn’t even acknowledge receipt of our protecting letter. It’s an irony that by a flip of destiny his identify is linked with a backroad to the working controversy over a pardon that ought to by no means have been related to Tony.

Oshiomhole is in a bitter feud with incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki. Oshiomhole has delusions that he can fill the boots of godfather of Edo State politics at present too large for him.

In your goals Obaseki tells him.

Considered one of Obaseki’s methods to be able to crush his rival is to safe the assist of Esan land. There Oshiomhole deprived himself when he selected to construct a 3rd college in Edo State : further to Federal-owned Uniben in Benin Metropolis, and State-owned Ambrose Ali College In Ali’s Ekpoma hometown, in Esan heartland.

Oshiomhole’s challenge is positioned immediately reverse his home off the North-bound freeway exit of Auchi City. It’s a huge instantaneous development in an space that features Iyanmho, Oshiomhol’s start place; a hamlet so reclusive when three or 4 are gathered they make a crowd.

The tertiary establishment implies that all the primary Edo State clans every now has a college they will acclaim their very own. However it has been expensive for Ambrose Ali College which noticed its assets thinned down as funds went to the founding of Iyanmho.

Two years in the past, at a public celebration in reminiscence of Ambrose Ali in Ekpoma, Obaseki made two pledges to a cheering crowd: 1) He would pump the city’s college with new funding; 2) He would combat to his toe nail for State Pardon for Ambrose Ali.

Ali was sentenced to 100 years imprisonment in 1984, on conviction allegedly for misappropriating N983,000. It was a interval of shaming historical past in Nigeria’s judicial course of. Ludicrously lengthy jail phrases had been spewing out of courtrooms inspired by madcap Decrees and fascistic rhetorics of the navy authorities.

What had Ambrose Ali executed mistaken?

He was Governor of defunct Bendel State. A grateful contractor provided him a “sprint” following conclusion of a street challenge. Ali refused the largesse and directed the insistent contractor to contribute it to his social gathering, UPN, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The courtroom’s judgement was that he ought to have had the cash refunded to govt coffers.

Ambrose Ali had no cash when he died. He got here out of jail a damaged man. He had misplaced his sight. His jailers will need to have identified he was strolling to his demise the day he left jail. It’s a pity the State can’t be despatched to jail when it does this to a person.

I’ve not succeeded find out how Tony’s identify got here to be included within the State Pardon checklist. As I’ve clearly proven he was not convicted by the Panel.

Earlier than getting down to write this, not being a lawyer, I took the precaution to ask the opinion of a realized buddy:

“Is a Panel of Inquiry/Administrative Panel and subsequent confiscation of properties a conviction below the regulation that requires a pardon?”

My lawyer buddy is a cautious particular person. So, earlier than replying he consulted the opinion of a lawyer buddy who wrote:

“The truth that the household of Enahoro ignorantly accepted and swallowed a Greek reward doesn’t imply we will’t interrogate the correctness or in any other case of the so-called pardon.

“Pardon for what? Do you pardon an harmless man or lady not first convicted of any offence? I believe not.”

I used to be grateful for the free recommendation.

But I used to be touched, pondering of my brother, the youngsters, my nephews and nieces, cousins , grandchildren, daughters, and spouses – these are “the household of Enahoro” – inadvertently portrayed as a bunch of ignoramuses, who gave Buhari’s pardon a thumbs up.

No, they haven’t.

However I understood. Tony’s eldest surviving son, Eugene, signed an explanatory be aware that urged “appreciation” and he signed it “for and on behalf of the household of Late Chief Anthony Enahoro”.

My opinion as I expressed to everybody that contacted me urging repudiation was the right way to clarify that the declare was on behalf of Tony’ instant household solely – assuming he had obtained that authority.

In equity to the siblings, there are properties concerned.

That’s their inheritance; their entitlement. Sadly, entitlement incessantly evolves as free lunch whereas free lunch is rarely an entitlement.

If the Buhari cabal actually needs to honour Tony’s reminiscence it ought to erase the stigma of a dodgy indictment by restoring his professional properties to his kids.

*Peter Enahoro (Peter Pan), legendary journalist and columnist, wrote from the UK.

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mcebisco · 4 years

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Sentenced To Death By Babangida, Granted Pardon By Buhari, Thrilling Story Of Moses Effiong

It is Now Stale News That The Government Of Mohammadu Buhari Recently Pardoned Nigerians That Have Been Convicted With Various Crimes In The Past, Amongst Those Granted Pardon Were Late Former Governor Of Bendel State Professor Ambrose Alli, Late Chief Anthony Enahoro Who Moved the Motion For Independence was Also Granted Pardon, E.Olaremwaju and A.Babalola were amongst those granted pardon but…

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helpnigeria-blog · 4 years

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Obaseki applauds Buhari on pardon for ex-Bendel Gov., Alli, Enahoro

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the presidential pardon granted to former Governor of old Bendel State, late Prof. Ambrose Alli and late Chief Anthony Enahoro, both illustrious sons of Edo State who contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication…

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#Edo State

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pleasantfestmiracle · 4 years

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PRESIDENT BUHARI GRANT AMNESTY TO 5 AND RELEASES 2,600 INMATES

President Muhammadu Buhari has granted amnesty to five ex-convicts among whom are late Professor Ambrose Alli, late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Ex Lt. Col Moses Effiong, Major E. J Olanrewaju, and Mister Ajay I. Olusola Babalola.

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udoudochukwu · 4 years

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President Buhari grants Presidentital pardon to late Enahoro, Ambrose Alli and others

President Buhari has today granted presidential pardon to some notable ex-convicts which include late Professor Ambrose Alli, late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Ex Lt. Col Moses Effiong, Major E. J Olanrewaju, and Mister Ajay I. Olusola Babalola.

The information was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola during a press conference where he disclosed that the President also…

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#Ambrose Ali #Armnesty #Enahoro #Presidential Pardon

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aniekanekah · 4 years

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Buhari Pardons Late Anthony Enahoro, Late Prof Ambrose Alli, Others

President Muhammadu Buhari has granted Presidential pardon to the former governor of old Bendel State, late Prof Ambrose Alli and a foremost nationalist, late Chief Anthony Enahoro, The Nation reports.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this at a world news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

He said three other high profile persons also benefitted from the presidential…

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upshotre · 5 years

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June 12: Kola Abiola got it wrong on Tinubu, says Nyiam

National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), yesterday cautioned against what he described as the penchant for twisting the facts about the ‘June 12’ struggle, particularly the roles and contributions of freedom fighters, who laboured for democracy. He said the story of the epic battle against the military can be told without elevating falsehood and fabrication over and above truth which, he maintained, will remain sacred. Nyiam, who was a key actor in the Great Ogboru/Gideon Okar coup against military President Ibrahim Babangida before joining the pro-democracy forces, objected to the claims by the late Chief Moshood Abiola’s son, Kola, that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu made some demands from former Military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, to be made administrator, deputy administrator and commissioner in Lagos State. Decrying what he described as Kola’s reactionary tendencies, the retired soldier said the media statements credited to him were made in bad faith, adding that Tinubu did not compromise his principles during the struggle. Nyiam said although he had parted with the former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart four years ago, he decided to set the records straight on Tinubu’s involvement and contributions in good conscience. In his reckoning, Kola should be grateful to Tinubu and other committed leaders of the democratic struggles instead of disowning their heroic contributions to the cause. Nyiam said: “Let me begin by saying this: guided by good conscience, and intuition-led reasoning which proceeds therefrom, I will begin with this warning: no matter the temptation we are being tempted with, let no one be as ungrateful to another who sacrificed almost his existential life to work for the persons directly or his immediate family as Chief Kola Abiola has recently done to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “In spite of my personal disappointment with Asiwaju, I cannot be a witness to Kola Abiola’s ungratefulness to the lowest depth. We need to set the record straight. It is noteworthy to see that I have for over four years distanced myself from my hitherto close friend, Asiwaju. Those who are close to Asiwaju and my humble self know that. “Chief Kola Abiola’s questioning of the integrity of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s early support for his father, Chief MKO Abiola, on doubtful demand from Gen. Sani Abacha is completely unnecessary and so uncalled for. To what end is Kola’s negative observation directed? Who is Kola Abiola trying this lie to give comfort to?” The NADECO chieftain, however, noted that Kola Abiola is unlike Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, who is trying to shift the spotlight on his June 12 commission or omission. He said: “The reference to the intelligence community by the ambassador stems from the outing of himself as an informant of what or who. Kingibe is shielding himself from the defence of the grievous allegation that he was the most dangerous betrayer of Chief MKO Abiola. “Baba Gana Kingibe adopted diversionary tactics by saying that Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo knew about the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. And so what? This begs the question on the sincerity of the so-called spy master during the June 12 tragedy. “There is also the allegation that the dagger-drawn Kanuri man was the one who misled Gen. Muhammadu Buhari most. This allegation still needs to be defended instead of diverting attention to ‘Obasanjo did this and that.’ “Every devilish statecraft technique must in the name of Allah be rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari. Nigerians have experienced enough of extra-judicial killings in a bid to preserve one’s political power.” Nyiam maintained that Kola’s unnecessary negative observation on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu underscored his lack of knowledge of the true facts and records, pointing out that his views ran contrary to his father’s commendation of Tinubu at the time in question. He recalled that during the dark moments of the struggle, he worked actively with Tinubu at the instance of the late winner of the historic election. Nyiam said: “It was actually at Kola Abiola’s father, Chief MKO Abiola’s instance that I was first introduced to Tinubu. Chief MKO was full of praises for Senator Bola Tinubu and said that I and Tinubu will work well together. “All these happened in Chief MKO Abiola’s London home. It was in the presence of the former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) chairman, the late Alao Aka-Bashorun. This was when MKO flew to London to re-energise his international connection. “Like MKO had commended Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s role in support of June 12 cause, apart from Prof. Wole Soyinka, who contributed through his leadership of NALICON and gave us a link to the leaders of Norway, Canada, followed by Gen. Alani Akinrinade and, of course, the leader of all of us, Chief Anthony Enahoro, no one else had more contributions than Asiwaju.” The retired soldier said Tinubu sold some property to get funds for the pro-democracy project in the United Kingdom and sponsored many activities that shook the military regime of Gen. Sani Abacha. He stressed: “I was a witness to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s selling of his London property for the struggle. In fact, the last one he sold was the one which his uncle, Wale Tinubu’s father and former Police Commissioner, gave him to manage while he was on exile. “The property in London, Tinubu sold it. What was left for Tinubu was his own flat in London where we used to visit. “The real operative activities against Sani Abacha were numerous. From Western Europe and North America, Tinubu was involved. Tinubu organised and funded the training of our men, ‘SAS’ agents. “Tinubu funded my trips to meet with Y. Museveni in Uganda; to take advantage of MKO’s goodwill. Museveni was ready to train our chaps. I went to see the Chief of Army Staff of Uganda. All that was funded by Tinubu. “Tinubu was reliable during the pro-democracy action against Gen. Sani Abacha’s dictatorial rule. That reliability is unchallengeable. If you doubt me, you can ask the present governor of Ekiti. Most of the funding for Radio Kudirat came from Tinubu through Ola Soyinka, son of Prof. Wole Soyinka. And I can say that Tinubu’s other son can also bear witness to that. “The internationally eminent professor, Segun Gbadegesin, can testify to Tinubu’s support for those operations in the United States of America.” Nyiam recalled that there was a similar allegation of betrayal against him by one of Abiola’s daughters, adding that the late symbol of the struggle did not believe it. He said: “I myself was once accused by one of Chief MKO’s daughters that I was working for Gen. Sani Abacha. This allegation against my person to the British Authorities was debunked by an unexpected official of the then Federal Government. “I go to know this through Chief MKO Abiola’s United Kingdom business manager, a gentleman. He told me, and this was confirmed by the person. And the person who brought up the allegation was the High Commissioner, His Excellency, Alhaji A. A. Abubakar. I told them it cannot be Col. Tony Nyiam. “My Nigerian Defence Academy combatant mate, His Royal Majesty, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo, His Excellency Tripple A, by virtue of being a true descendant of Dan Fodio, will always speak the truth. They did not believe it.” Nyiam said those who risked their lives during the period deserved commendation and not condemnation, adding that their names will be written in gold. He added: “I have nothing to do with Tinubu, but it will be against my conscience to see him being disowned despite his sacrifices. “Apart from Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Tinubu made so much sacrifice. So was Beko Ransom-Kuti. So was Governor Kayode Fayemi. He was a young man then; younger than all of us. He did so much. “So were Commodore Dan Suleiman, Ambassador Ralp Nwachie, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Hon. Wale Oshun, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and Dr. Amos Akingba, whose posh-like majestic two storey mansion, off Opebi Street, Ikeja, was an operational base, Solicitor Dele Ogun, Dr Ola Soyinka, Makin Soyinka, Bolu Atijosan, Taiwo Akinola, and the veteran journalists: Nosa Igiebor, Chuks Illugbunam, Doyin Iyiola, Mr. Johnson and George Noah, Dr Femi Folurunsho and Dele Momodu, who joined us later. “There was also from Canada the reliable Otunba Jumoke and Ralph Obiora. “Kola Abiola appears too sunk in worldliness to appreciate the principles and sacrifices MKO manifested, including the ultimate sacrifices made by all of us for June 12. Two come to mind: the very resourceful Engineeer Nelson and Dr. Omotoso, who died in the pro-democracy action, deserve immortalisation by a true progressive government. “I can tell you that Kola has always been reactionary and often acted in ways that undermined MKO’s cause. I tell you of a real life story pertaining to ‘The Concord’ owned by his father. I am aware that at some point in 1999 after the restoration of democracy on May 29, and Tinubu had assumed office as Lagos State governor, the Concord management, led by Dr. (Mrs) Doyin Abiola, needed N25 million to fully recapitalise the operations of Concord Press after five years of subversion by the Abacha junta. “As governor, I am aware that Tinubu was willing to help Concord back to its feet. He offered to buy a giant generator earlier bought by MKO for Concord Workers Housing Estate and lying idle for N35 million for the Water Corporation of Lagos State. Tinubu was willing to buy this and pass the generator to the Lagos State Water Corporation then. “The deal was almost concluded, only for the same Kola to come and place a caveat emptor in the newspapers suddenly against the sale of the generator by Concord management to the Lagos State Government, thereby leaving Concord to continue to suffer in serious financial difficulties. “No surprise, it did not take long before Concord finally went under. These are historical facts.” Read the full article

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thisdaynews · 5 years

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Buhari knows those causing Unrest,killing,Kidnapping in Nigeria, says Falana

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Buhari knows those causing Unrest,killing,Kidnapping in Nigeria, says Falana

Activist lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration knows those causing unrest in the country and should go after them.