Posted by By TAIWO AMODU on
The June 12, 1993 presidential election presumed to have been won by late philanthropist and businessman, Bashorun Moshood Abiola became an issue yesterday at the residence of the late Yoruba leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya, 15 years after it was annulled.
The June 12, 1993 presidential election presumed to have been won by late philanthropist and businessman, Bashorun Moshood Abiola became an issue yesterday at the residence of the late Yoruba leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya, 15 years after it was annulled.
At the Apapa residence of the late scion of the Yoruba socio- cultural group, Afenifere on a condolence visit to the family was the former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida whose regime annulled the election.
IBB at the visit to the late Yoruba leader's home described Adesanya as a friend of over 31 years. He disclosed to journalists that one of the very few Nigerians of strong convictions who mounted enormous pressures on him to revisit his action over the June 12, 1993 election was the late Chief Abraham Adesanya.
'We had a lot of discussions on the issue. But in situations like this, there is a personal view, there is a common view and that is what happened. Well, it happened, it happened".
The former military president revealed that Chief Adesanya was introduced to him in 1977 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the latter's residence at No 31, Parklane.
'The purpose of the visit, like you rightly observed is to join members of my family, because I consider myself a member of the family, to condole Mama and the children of Papa Adesanya. It might surprise you to know that I had come across Pa Adesanya in 1977. I met him when I visited Papa Awolowo in Parklane, at No. 31. He happened to be there and Pa Awolowo introduced me to Adesanya . So, I have known him for thirty one years and since then we maintained very good contact, which perhaps is not known to you in the media'.
General Ibrahim Babangida described the late Yoruba leader as a man of very strong conviction, who gave his best to whatever cause he believed in.
'Quite frankly, if there is one man who had convictions in politics, convictions in what he believed in, conviction in what he was doing, I will count him among the very few people in this country who have conviction on what they are doing and he represents that very much - conviction in politics, conviction in leadership, conviction in anything he stood for in this country.'
The son of the late Yoruba leader, Mr. Bayo Adesanya who spoke for the family expressed appreciation to General Babangida for the visit.
'We are very happy that you visited. We wish you and your entourage journey mercy back to Minna'.
Former Secretary to the Federal Government under the former military president, Chief Olu Falae who spoke on behalf of Afenifere equally thanked General Babangida for the visit.
Also at the residence of the Adesanyas on condolence visit was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole. Bankole described the Yorubas leader as the last of the titans.