A life Bencher and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has berated former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, over the recent launch of his autobiography, in which he expressed regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, alleging that what Babangida did was treasonable and remains treasonable.
The Presidential election was believed to have been won by Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola.
Olanipekun said that despite all the regrets expressed by Babangida over the annulment of the election, there was no remorse or apology to the Abiola family and Nigerians for forgiveness.
He stated that Babangida’s autobiography, as it relates to the June 12, 1993, election, was full of contradictions.
Olanipekun disclosed this while delivering a keynote address titled “Justice and Equity: Solution to Socio-Economic Problems in Nigeria” at the 11th Annual Public Lecture in honour of Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s 83rd Birth Anniversary, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ibafo.
He described Pastor Adeboye “as a living legend who has contributed so much to societal values, ethos, pathos, and its upliftment.”
Revealing more facts about the infamous annulment of the June 12 Presidential poll, Olanipekun said the alteration of judicial paradigms was orchestrated by the junta as a cover-up for its extrajudicial exploits during one of the nation’s most turbulent eras.
He said, “Conspicuously, throughout the unveiling of the former military president’s autobiography and the ‘pomp and pageantry’ that appeared to engulf the occasion, there was no word of ‘apology’ either to the late M.K.O. Abiola or his family or Nigerians, whose will was subverted by the former Military President.”
Olanipekun alleged that what Babangida did was treasonable and remains treasonable.
He said, “There has been no remorse, no apology, no contrition, no reparation, and no entreaty to Nigerians for forgiveness or pardon.
Abiola himself died while in detention, his wife Kudirat was killed, his business was ruined, his family was plunged into disarray, and several Nigerians lost their lives. Some were killed by state agents, including Pa Alfred Rewane.”
The life Bencher stressed the need for the present structure of the country to be restructured for Nigeria to attain its full potential in terms of stability and prosperity.
“I am of the view that this amoebic configuration or contraption will not lead us far.”
During panel discussions featuring the Chairperson of the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency, retired Justice Eni Esan, and a retired
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Pastor Leye Oyebade, Justice Esan commended Olanipekun for his incisive, lucid, and wonderful lecture.
She said Olanipekun spoke comprehensively about justice and equity.
Justice Esan identified the multifaceted problems plaguing the country, noting that they had existed for several years. She stated that Olanipekun’s lecture proffered solutions to these problems. She posited that if the country must rise above its present challenges, practical steps must be taken to follow the solutions enumerated by Olanipekun.
She added, “I agree with Chief Olanipekun on the need for a new constitution. If the foundation is destroyed, what can the righteous do? We are merely treating the symptoms and neglecting the root causes of our problems.
“The country must be decentralized so that the grassroots can be developed.”
She blamed the political class for the rot in the system, noting that reforms must start with cleansing the system that encourages corruption.
“There are challenges to the implementation of these solutions. The political elite will resist reforms. It may imperil their interests, and they may want to resist the change.”
She also described other factors mitigating the nation’s growth as religious and cultural beliefs, adding that these beliefs fuel biases in different areas of society.
“Some parts of the country do not believe in education. We need re-orientation in the country.”
Oyebade also applauded the guest speaker for highlighting the major problems facing the country at this crucial time.
He noted an urgent need to build institutions that promote law and order. “There is a need to build institutions and make them function, and the judiciary is very key in this regard.
“We need to gather the stakeholders in the justice administration sector—investigation, prosecution, and correctional services. A more reformed approach in the justice administration sector is desirable now.”
He stated that the lack of political will has impeded the overhauling of the constitution, adding that political will would change the narrative and is urgently required from political leaders.
In his remarks, the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, represented by his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, noted that Nigerians should take their destiny into their own hands by being purveyors of good deeds that would bring systemic change to the country.
She said it was time for Nigerians to lead by example and not join the multitude in doing evil that would negatively impact the country.
According to her, “How much of what we have heard from Chief Olanipekun are we going to apply? Talking about the Constitution of Nigeria, we can all rewrite it through our behavior. We must change the narrative by doing what is right. We must start from our homes—how we nurture our children and how we lead by example.
“Our judgment must be fair at all times. We must practice equity, and justice must be seen to be done always, even in our little affairs. Let us go back to the word of God and look at the life of King Solomon, who applied wisdom when he judged the case of the two women with children. Let us pray for wisdom for ourselves and our leaders. There is nothing God cannot do.”
