From last week, this is the concluding part of the narrative of how  the Federal Electoral Commission on August 17, 1979 declared Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the winner of the presidential election, the petition against his election, the accord between the NPN and NPP that paved the way for the election of leaders of the National Assembly and the submission of the names of 33 ministerial nominees.

FOUR of the nominees were Nigerian Peoples Party, NPP,members. They were Chief Paul Unongo (Benue), Professor Ishaya Audu (Kaduna), Chief Ademola Thomas (Lagos) and Chief Mrs Janet Akinrinade (Oyo). 

Apart from the Presidency at that time, the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, had seven governors out of 19, namely: Alhaji Shehu Kangiwa(Sokoto), Chief Melford Okilo(Rivers), Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim(Niger), Alhaji Adamu Attah(Kwara), Dr. Clement Isong(Cross Rivers), Mr Apar Aku(Benue), Alhaji Abubakar Tatari Alli (Bauchi); while UPN had five governors—Chief Bisi Onabanjo(Ogun), Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin (Ondo), Chief Bola Ige(Oyo), Alhaji Lateef Jakande (Lagos) and Chief Ambrose Ali(Bendel). NPP had three governors– Chief Sam Mbakwe (Imo), Chief Jim Nwobodo (Anambra) and Mr. Solomon Lar (Plateau). The GNPP had two governors–Alhaji Abubakar Barde (Gongola) and Alhaji Goni (Borno). The PRP had two governors– Alhaji Abubakar Rimi (Kano) and Alhaji Balarabe Musa (Kaduna). 

Even in the Senate elections, the NPN had 36 seats; UPN 28; NPP 16; GNPP 8 and PRP 7. In the House of Representatives NPN had 168; UPN 111; NPP 79; PRP 47; and GNPP 44.

The following Senators were elected then–Prince Onyeabo Obi, Dr. Offia Nwali, Chief B.C. Okwu, Chief N.N. Anah and Mr. Isaiah N. Ani(Anambra), NPP; Alhaji A.D. Rufai, Alhaji Ibrahim Dimis, Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo Waziri, Alhaji Abdulkadir Yelwaji Saleh and Mr. Uba Ahmed(Bauchi), NPN; Mr. D.O. Dafinone, Mr. Bardi Joe(both of NPN), Chief John Umolu, Chief E.O. Akpata and Justice Frankly O. Atake(UPN), Bendel; Mr. Andrew Abogede, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr. Suemo Chia, Mr. B.A. Ebute and Colonel Ahmadu Ali (NPN),Benue; Alhaji Idrisa Kadi, Mr Bukar Sanda, Mr. Jafaru Manga and Mr. Umaru Lawan Bama (GNPP) and Alhaji G. Lawan (UPN), Borno; Mr. George Daniel and Prince Joseph Ansa(GNPP), Mr. Victor Akpan, Mr. Donald Etiebet and Dr. Joseph Wayas(all of the NPN), Cross River.

Pastor Luka Zanyazing, Mr. Bitrus B. Kajal, Alhaji Mahmud Waziri(GNPP), Mr. Iliya Audu(NPN) and Mr. Gayus Gilama(UPN),Gongola; Mr. Emeka P. Echeruo, Dr. Elijah E. Emezie, Dr. Jaja Nwachukwu, Chief Tony Anyanwu and Mr. Simeon Ojukwu(NPP), Imo; Alhaji Abba Ali, Mr. Jacob Madawaki and Alhaji Yusuf Ali(NPN), Mr. Bello Bakori and Alhaji Ibrahim Barau(PRP); Alhaji Adamu Gaya, Alhaji Ahmed Zakari, Alhaji Hamisu Musa, Alhaji Usman A. Dambata and Alhaji Sabo B. Zuwo(PRP),Kano; Alhaji Isa Abonyi Obaro, Mr. Aliyu Mohammadu Gan and Dr. Olusola Saraki(NPN); Mr. Justus Olu Olabode and Mr. C.O. Adebayo(UPN); Alhaji Sikiru Shitta-Bey, Dr. Femi Ayantuga, Alhaji M.A.O. Abiru, Mr. Abayomi Durosinmi and Mr. Adeyiga Ajai(UPN), Lagos; Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, Alhaji Jubrin Salihu, Alhaji Ibrahim Kolo, Alhaji Abdullahi Mangu and Colonel Garba Dada Paiko(NPN), Niger State.

Mr. Ladega Daniel Adetola, Mr. Oyero Kunle, Mr. S.O. Sogbein, Chief J.A.O. Adebiyi and Mr. A.A. Adesanya(UPN), Ogun; Chief E.K. Ogunleye, Mr. Michael Onukun, Professor D.O. Oke, Mr. Ayo Fasanmi and Professor S.A. Akintoye(UPN), Ondo; Chief Adeleke Ayoola, Dr. Christopher Ilori, Mr. Ademola Adegoke, Dr. Christopher Adeoye and Mr. Olalere Adesina(UPN), Oyo; Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, Mr. Garba Matta, Mr. John Wash Pam, Mr. George Hookwap and Mr. Muhammadu Musa(NPP), Plateau; Mr. P.J. Ella and Dr. Obi Wali(NPP); Dr. O. Eberewariye, Mr. C.N. Nunije and Mr. Amatari Zuofa(NPN); Mr. Otto Bugundu, Mr. Haruna Muza, Alhaji Garuba Gada, Alhaji Hassan Zuru and Alhaji Garba Kware(NPN), Sokoto. 

The domination of the NPN in 1979 was not in doubt. But for reasons best known to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the then President, he decided to go into partnership with NPP. He was aware the Presidential Constitution does not allow for partnership or alliance. 

Since 1999 to date, no President has ever accommodated members of other parties in government, although some were appointed to government on individual recognition and not as party members. The late Chief Bola Ige (September 13, 1930- December 23, 2001), the present Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike (56) and others, are examples. 

In Nigeria, if you lose an election, you are nothing but an orphan. The winner takes all policy as contained in our current Constitution will not bring about the desired unity. It is harmful. No political party or group or tribe or association can do it alone. 

Diversity is our strength; unity is our power.

Eric Teniola, a former director at the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.