IN 1975 Brigadier General Murtala Mohammed (November 8, 1938 – February 13, 1976), he was at that time a brigadier, approached Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams SAN (December 16, 1920 – March 26, 2005) to be the chairman of the 50-man Constitution Drafting Committee. Chief Williams told Brigadier Murtala Mohammed that he would accept the […]

From last week continues the narrative of why one-party structure cannot work in Nigeria. Even the two-party system decreed into existence by Gen Babangida was later annulled, even though the former military president later regretted his action. The story concludes today with the parties that later succeeded Babangida’s annulled two parties. FROM 1999, the PDP […]

From last week continues the story of the first attempt to make Nigeria a one-party structure in 1965 following developments in the Mid-West Legislature. Chief James Otobo led members of the opposition Mid-West Democratic Front to join the NCNC government. He subsequently announced the dissolution of his party. He said the MDF members chose unity […]

From last week continues the narrative by Sir Ahmadu Bello on what transpired among representatives during the London Conference to decide Nigeria’s independence, especially his personal remarks on the position of the Northern Region with regards to Nigeria’s Independence.  “Far from it! As I said earlier in my remarks, a private member’s motion is intended […]

We from the North feel that in all major issues such as this one, we are duty-bound to consult those we represent, so that when we speak we know we are voicing the views of the nation

I don’t think the founding fathers of this country wanted a single party structure. Not at all. They were aware of our diversity as a people. I don’t think a single political party or tribe or group can pocket this country for long.  Any attempt to try it, will end in futility no matter the […]

This continues the narrative that, unlike the Buckingham Palace, the Presidential Villa which was built by Germans was constructed to isolate the leader and to keep away protesters. Hence, it is so easy to get lost in The Villa if you are the President. IT has been a focal point for the British people at times […]

From last week continues the narrative on the architectural splendour of Buckingham Palace, the royal residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch in the UK, compared to the Presidential Villa in Abuja which was built to isolate the leader from the people IT has been a focal point for the British people at times of national […]

From last week continues the narrative of how Abuja came to become Nigeria’s seat of government following the failed April 22, 1990 coup and how it has fared over the years compared to other countries’ federal capital  Captain Bade Omowa from Oka, Akoko in Ondo State and others played a major role in rescuing General […]

From last week continues the speech by  Gen Murtala Mohammed on why Lagos lost its federal capital status to Abuja and government’s decision to maintain special defence and security arrangements in Lagos, which will henceforth be designated a ‘special area’. “These arrangements will be carefully worked out and written into the new Constitution. Kaduna and […]

When General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (82) moved the seat of the central government from Lagos to Abuja on December 12, 1991, he did so to hide himself. You can’t be active when you are hiding.   On August 17, 1991, he commissioned the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. The bridge is the biggest project ever executed  […]

From last week continues  the narrative of Federal government’s intervention in African countries The advance team visited Masvingo, Victoria falls, before we finally settled down in Harare. Bob Marley and other musicians played on the eve of Zimbabwe’s independence. It was during that time that Samora Machael of Mozambique described the new country as the “jewel of […]

From last week continues the narrative of how English-speaking West African countries led by Nigeria set up ECOMOG to intervene and bring peace to Liberia under the aegis of a Standing Mediation Committee, SMC. SMC also set up a special emergency fund for the war-torn country to deal with refugee problems, among others. Shortly after Federal […]

From last week continues the narrative of Nigeria’s continued contributions to global peace keeping operations, with the Nigeria police featuring prominently in this regard in Congo and other places  ITS involvement followed an urgent re quest from the UN Secretary General to the Nigerian government for 300 policemen to assist the UN force to maintain […]

In 1970-1971, Nigeria increased its contributions to the OAU budget to N150,000, 47 per cent over the 1968-1969 contributions, making it the third largest contributor to the organisation’s annual budget