From last week continues the narrative of how  the Federal Electoral Commission on August 17, 1979 declared Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the winner of the presidential election, Chief Awolowo’s petition which ended at the Supreme Court presided over by  Justice Atanda Fatai Williams who was later appointed as the Chief Justice of the Federation by Gen. Obasanjo.

Justice Atanda Fatai Williams (October 22, 1918 – April 10, 2002) was assisted in his ruling by Justice Mohammed Bello (1930 – November 4, 2004), Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais (88), Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe (1923–1983) and Justice Gabriel Ayo Gabriel Irekefe (March 3, 1922 – August 1, 1996). 

Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki (June 11, 1926- July 13, 2017) partially disagreed with the majority judgement, while Justice Kayode Eso (September 18, 1925-November 16, 2012) supported Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s position.

Addressing a press conference after the FEDECO declaration in Lagos which I also attended, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari said: “I extend my hands of friendship to them and ask them to join me in the task of building a united, prosperous and virile nation of which we can all be justly proud. We need an atmosphere of friendship amongst all Nigerians. I believe that if our nation is to be truly great, we must come together as a family to solve our common problems. After all, the objectives of all the five political parties are similar. So let us work together in harmony towards the fulfilment of these objectives”. 

Thereafter his party, the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, struck an accord with the Nigerian Peoples Party, NPP, of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (November 16, 1904- May 11, 1996). 

It was this accord that made it possible for Dr. Joseph Wayas of the NPN to be elected Senate President on October 9, 1979. He defeated the former Chief Judge of Bendel State, Justice F.O.M. Atake of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, by 53 to 42 votes. Dr. Wayas was nominated by Dr. Sola Saraki of the NPN (Ilorin/Asa) and seconded by Senator Garba Matta of NPP(Pankshin/Mangu/Kanam). Senator Atake was nominated by Senator E.I. Akpata of UPN (Bendel Central) and was seconded by Alhaji Idrisa Kadi of the Great Nigeria People’s Party, GNPP(Borno North-Central).

The accord also enabled Senator John Wash Pam of the NPP to defeat Alhaji Sabo Barkin Zuwo of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, by 51 votes to 43 votes to become deputy Senate President. Senator John Wash Pam was nominated by Senator Jaja Nwachukwu, NPP (Aba) and was seconded by Senator Uba Ahmed-NPN (Bauchi South East); while Alhaji Ahmed Danbata of the PRP (Kano Central) nominated Senator Sabo Barkin Zuwo of the PRP and was seconded by Senator David Oke of the UPN (Ondo West).

In the election for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Edwin Ume Ezeoke of the NPP(Nnewi) defeated Mr. Hamza M. Ngadiwa of the GNPP(Borno) by 245 to 201 votes. Chief Ezeoke was nominated by Mr. Yunusa Kaltungo of the NPN (Tangale-Waja South) and seconded by Lieutenant Colonel(rtd) P.C. Amadi of the NPP (Owerri North). Mr. Ngadiwa was nominated Dr. Gordon J. Idang of the UPN (Etinam II) and seconded by Mr. M.A. Olukoya- UPN(Ijebu-Ode).

For the post of deputy speaker, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim, NPN(Minna) defeated Mr. Faji Fajobi of the UPN (Ekiti South) by 244 to 201votes. Colonel(rtd.) Amadi (Owerri North) nominated Alhaji Idris Ibrahim, while Mr. Kaltungo seconded his nomination. Alhaji Sidi Alli of the PRP(Kano–Danbatta) nominated Mr. Fajobi and was seconded by Mr. Olaiya Fagbamigbe of the UPN(Akure).

All the elections were conducted by the then Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Gidado Idris (March 15, 1935- December 15, 2017).

On October 18, 1979, President Shagari submitted 33 ministerial nominees to the Senate, presided over by Dr. Joseph Wayas (21 May 1941 – 30 November 2021). 

To be concluded