Those opposing Nigeria’s return to Federalism are not wishing her well ― Ndubuisi Kanu

LEADER, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, said in Lagos on Tuesday that those opposing the return of the country to Federalism must agree that they have been fuelling the non – peaceful return Of Nigeria to “the right road.”

Kanu made this declaration while speaking at the Lying in State/Night of Tributes for late Dr Fredrick Fasehun, the founder of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) which took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere area of the state, with dignitaries in attendance, including Dr. Amos Akingba, Mr Ayo Opadokun, Comrade Joseph Eva, among others.

This was just as the NADECO leader lamented that what was uppermost in the minds of political players now that the 2019 elections were around the corner was “who corners the power to largess the commonwealth, not repeat, not how to build a Nigerian nation- State.”

He, however, quickly added: “The elections could, or would come and go. But the ‘peaceful’ or the non – peaceful return to Federalism would remain an inevitability,” warning that in the absence, the different components might have to go their different ways than allowing themselves to remain under a unitary system of government.

ALSO READ: Fiscal federalism and restructuring in Nigeria: Lessons from elsewhere

“Otherwise to respective tents- still better for all the people of this country than pernicious Unitarian,” Kanu warned.

The NADECO leader, while paying glowing tributes to the late OPC founder, described him as a highly successful medical practitioner and Nigeria’s first acupuncturist, who could have continued his lofty practice without anyone blaming him for minding his personal business but chose to abandon his comfort zone and decided to join pro-democracy elements to confront the evil that General Sani Abacha represented.

While recalling the role the late OPC leader played in the June 12 struggle, Kanu said Fasheun combined forces with other pro-Ambode democrats to found the NADECO, the umbrella platform for the said struggle, pointing out that the first press statement issued by NADECO on May 15, 1994, had Fasheun’s name as no 32 on the list containing 52 people.

“On this occasion, what we should also remember over the demise, and the prior struggle of Fred Fasehun and his like, alive or dead is that he selflessly strained to the future of a hope that was kindled by our (so-called?) ‘Founding Fathers.’

“Even though he has finished his race here on earth, Dr Fredrick Fasehun will continue to represent some of the finest qualities in the Nigerian spirit as envisaged by the “Founding Fathers,” and in extensions the peoples, in the peoples, in deciding abidingly on Federalism,” the former Lagos State governor said, adding: “Our prayer is that God will be kind to him and reward him for his labour and sacrifice of love. “