NADECO and its formation
NADECO means National Democratic Coalition. It was formed in Lagos during those days precisely in the house of Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) at the GRA, Ikeja.
Nigeria was in political crisis that time during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha. Elections had been run, won and the results annulled. And Nigeria was moving towards the brink, about to collapse. Then, a few patriots and fathers of the nation got together to say Nigeria was too important to the world to disintegrate. And that some good people should be brought together to fight against any break up of Nigeria.
That was where people got together. And those that got together to attend the first meeting were Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin of blessed memory, the late Pa Anthony Enahoro, late Pa Abraham Adesanya, late Bola Ige, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi.
Others were Chief Olu Falae, late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, my good self, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, the man who played very prominent roles in NADECO, General Alani Akinrinade(rtd), Dr. Amos Akingba, Senator Biyi Durojaye and of course, the atlas of the entire burden, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and then the spartan coat of the burden, who was carrying messages to the Generals in the field, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, Air Commodere Dan Suleiman. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi as well as the lady among us, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State.
Meeting place
We were meeting almost clandestinely at Gen. Adebayo’s place. But something happened along the line that we had to move the meeting from Gen. Adebayo’s house and that is another story entirely. We shifted base a few times and ended up at Ndubuisi’s house in Victoria Island. Ndubuisi has my tremendous respect because despite the persecution he went through, he didn’t give up. We never felt at any time that we were not welcome whenever we got there to hold our meetings, clandestine as they were. He would prepare food and everybody would feel happy, forgetful of the fact that we were being hounded. Professor Wole Soyinka was never a member of NADECO. He was the founder of National Liberation Council of Nigeria (NALICON).
Many people probably wanted to join NADECO, but they didn’t have the courage to show their faces because it was very dangerous to beat your chest and say you are a member of NADECO. The goons were all over the place. The Secretary, Opadokun was in prison, Beko Ransome-Kuti was in prison. I later followed, and a few others. And some, we even had to ask to run away.
People like Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Gen. Akinrinade and others. We had to advise some of us to travel overseas and form NADECO abroad. We made the decision because the maximum ruler had descended on us. When they got overseas, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the hands of fellowship to them.
Pa Enahoro’s escape
In fact, Pa Enahoro had to flee. I drove Pa Enahoro out of Nigeria to exile. When we got to the border post and I looked at the pain the old man was made to go through, I shed tears. I wept like a baby. We got to the border post at exactly 1.00am in the thick forest, and the canoe owners had gone to bed. A night hunter, who materialised from nowhere wondered what our mission was at that unholy hour in the wild animal infested forest. I took time to explain and promptly, out of sympathy, he admitted to paddle us across the border river.
We got to the other side safely only to have the dreaded border guards to contend with. I never knew where I got a lie I told. Promptly, I introduced myself as Reverend Father Ikuyabesin, who lost his house maid and wanted to get across to her family before they could get the sad news from another source. Interestingly, the guards showed sympathy and allowed us free passage. The memory of the day will remain ever green in my memory.
I got Gani Fawehinmi out too, through the same famous NADECO route. He however came back to spill the beans. He described the route, and he went short of disclosing that Dr. Fasehun drove them out of town to exile (General laughter). So, that was NADECO for you.
And I wouldn’t say NADECO was a combination of individuals. Of course, some individuals joined, but it was more of combination of organisations-Afenifere, the CUU, the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), Campaign for Democracy (CD), the Middle Belt Forum(MBF).
Persecution
Dan Suleiman’s car was vandalised. There was an attempt to bomb his house. Akinrinade’s house was bombed. I didn’t have a house to be bombed, but I was hunted. Opadokun’s chambers was tampered with.Attempt was made on Pa Adesanya’s life. But God took absolute control and we escaped death by the whiskers. We saw that NADECO was doing well. It meant well and it could do much better.
Though many of us were a bit frightened, many of us or some of us had courage to insist and say no. The military should return to the barracks and civilians should take over. We maintained that the worst civilian government is far better than any benevolent military dictatorship.
And dictatorship in Nigeria then was phenomenal. It was incredible. No Nigerian was sure of the following hour, and there was so much persecutions and nobody had peace of mind. If somebody like Chief Enahoro had to leave, you can see that the situation was unimaginable.
NADECO not Yoruba affair
It was not a Yoruba affair. There were many Yoruba people but we had people like Dan Suleiman. He is not Yoruba. We had others like Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Ndubuisi Kanu, Ebitu Ukiwe and the current Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang. They came in and they are not Yoruba. So it wasn’t a Yoruba affair.
But you would remember at that time that Yoruba people were in the eye of the storm. And the fact that Papa Ajasin headed the organisation might make people feel that it was a Yoruba affair, but it was, definitely not.
Success story
Well, at least, the military returned to their barracks. That was a major success and the government in Nigeria was civilianised and we ended up with civilian government coming. However, of course, I, personally didn’t think that Yoruba have been treated fairly and I might be a biased joiner of NADECO. But what I was preaching then and immediately after then came up. Yoruba people got a place to rule the nation.
It was through the agitation of organisations like NADECO and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) that came later, that Yoruba people were able to make their point. But we thank God, this civilian government came in.
OPC as military arm of NADECO
We wouldn’t mind being the foot soldiers of NADECO. Everybody was frightened. Nobody was sure of what would happen to the country. Whether you were Yoruba, Ibo, or Hausa, you were frightened. And if we could do anything to prevent the break-up of Nigeria, so be it.
So, I formed the OPC and advised a few friends like Nkurube from Ijaw saying, what are you waiting for? If Yoruba goes under, you will go much, much further under. And of course, my Ijaw friend initiated the Ijaw National Congress from which various Ijaw groups came out.
What did NADECO benefit from civilian government?
Members of the group did not benefit at all. Looking back, those who had gone into politics would say they enjoyed participating in NADECO. NADECO fought for civilian government which came and some people enjoyed the effrontery and efforts of NADECO. But they did not look back.
Now, people like Papa Ajasin was given a decent burial. But who among us can attest to his life style when he was alive? The same thing with Papa Adesanya and now, Pa Enahoro?
Those were people who should have lived in affluence. But they did not and after then, they give them a big rite. I think it is the wrong thing to do. You see, we have virtually forgotten Beko Ransome-Kuti, whereas he died a few years back! We have forgotten Gani Fawehinmi rapidly! But for me, at the age of almost 76, I still have to work very hard to sustain a moderate living, when friends, associates have been in power to do various things including amassing wealth. But those of us who were at the forefront in of NADECO have virtually not benefitted.
Has Nigeria got to the point of your dream?
Not yet. But, one would admit that as the fault of NADECO. There were some of us who said NADECO should be politicised. In other words, turn that organisation to a political party because we had a manifesto for the nation. And many people, especially the leaders didn’t think it was wise to make it a political party.
Instead, Pa Enahoro founded MNR which was a political platform. But we refused to join the MNR. We still believed in NADECO.
But then, it should have become a political platform to continue the struggle. At some point, NADECO got victory from the struggle but it failed to utilise the victory. And that is why those NADECO prominent participants who lost so many things lost out. Some lost limbs, some property and some their lives. If I tell you how much people like Ndubuisi Kanu lost, you wouldn’t believe it! He is a true Nigerian. He is still in NADECO, still championing the cause of NADECO. It is because he is a God created person.
Special cemetery for heroes
I am of the strong conviction that our heroes should no longer be buried in their various towns. Federal government should create a special cemetery for them either in Abuja or Lagos.
By doing this, the place would serve as a tourist centre and excursion sites for students. It would also be a source of inspiration for the younger generation to want to emulate the departed heroes.
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