By Danjuma Katsina
The history of Nigeria from 1993-1999 is full of lessons. This writer is a witness to some and some even have their names mentioned in presentations made and books written.
The coming to power of Abacha and his attempt to to change from the military khaki to a predominant civilian rule gave birth to several pro-democracy groups.
Lagos became the center of the struggle in this country. All anti military activities are organized in Kano and Kaduna in the northern part of the country.
A purely Yoruba Movement was established in 1993 called the OPC, founded by a medical personnel Fredrick Fasehun. He brought youths from poor background to lead the group amongst which one Gani Adams excelled.
At that time in Lagos, there were about 20 pro-democracy groups, that include Campaign for Democracy (CD) led by Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, most of the groups have made efforts to get supporters from the North.
It was in 1997 that the groups met in attempt to establish one strong body called Revolutionary Council of Nigeria, this writer was present at the gathering and even others that took place thereafter.
The group had the support of some rich individuals in Lagos as well as some foreign governments that want to end military rule in the country.
The group leaders proposed training for the members who were taken to Ghana to learn how to generate enough heat in the country against the military leadership.
The first set that went were all Yorubas and we're all from the OPC.
The first set had returned when Abacha died just before the second set was sent.
It was Abdussalam Abubakar who replaced Abacha that came with new policies of transition to civil rule in the country that pacified Nigerians that did away with the activities of the Revolutionary Council of Nigeria.
Most of the groups got melted. An election took place that had never taken place before. Up till this day, the AD in Yoruba states in the country became successful as most of its members were former activists led by Tinubu who later became the Lagos state governor then.
The Lagos state government was accused of funding the OPC against the federal government, promoting tribal sentiments.
The OPC then under Gani Adams heated the Nigeria polity through its activities in Lagos.
It was in the year 2000 that the then Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force Musiliu Adeola Smith declared the OPC leader wanted dead or alive with a reward of N100,000 for anyone who leads to his arrest.
He was arrested after a while. He was taken to court but however, he was released.
It was after his release that he changed the objectives of the OPC to an organization protecting the interest of Yorubas and fighting criminals in the society.
Definitely the OPC had led to the death of a lot of northerners living in Yoruba land in this country, and at that time they were well armed.
In 2017 Gani Adams was recognized as the Yoruba leader during the constitution ammendment of 2005.
Gani Adams was one of the delegates sent from Lagos.
I visited Gani Adams at his Lagos residence in 2018 to hear his views on a book I was compiling then, Democracy in Nigeria; The Forgotten Heroes, where I exposed some of the contributions given by some northerners during the struggle.
He enjoyed executive protection in his house then as if he was a former president. I attempted speaking to him again in Abuja, but the procedures were so tedious that I had to give up.
He enjoyed protection from his personal security as well as those assigned to him by the government.
It is possible for a terrorist to change his ways, but from what I understand in the case of Gani Adams there would be the need to education, enlightenment and association for it to be possible.
When Gani Adams founded the OPC, he was an ordinary secondary school leaver. He later went to university and became a graduate.
The Fulani
It is possible for there to be a lasting reconciliation with the Fulani for as long as education, enlightenment and general understanding are well established.
If their leaders will allow access to the followers to be enlightened, , and the primary problem is addressed, if this will happen, even if they are armed, it will be of no use.
Danjuma Katsina is the publisher of Katsina Times, Katsina City News and the Hausa Taskar Labarai. He can be reached on this number 07043777779
Culled from Katsina City News magazine
