Ernest Shonekan as a footnote (5)

This is the concluding part of this piece which last week revealed why Obasanjo declined to head the ING set up by IBB but urged Gen Yar’Adua to resist Abacha’s membership of the interim government YAR’ADUA reluctantly agreed to Abacha’s retention as he did not want to give Babangida a pretext to remain in power.

The Tripartite Committee recommended an ING to be led by civilians, but with military representatives. The head of the ING was to be the head of state and chairman of the ING. Nebulously, the ING chairman’s powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces were to reside in the National Defence Council and the National Security Council. The ING was to take off on or before August 27, 1993, and would stay in office until December 31,1994. However, its duration was shortened, with its terminal date being brought forward to March 1994.

The NDSC accepted the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations with a few amendments. A small band of hardliners urged Babangida to stay on. Some planned to use the Senate to pass a motion calling for an extension of Babangida’s tenure. The Senate president, Iyorchia Ayu, was impeached by the Senate for opposing moves to extend Babangida’s tenure beyond August 27. This was the first time that a Senate president had been impeached in Nigeria’s history.

A politician, Mohammed Arzika, said that “it is a sad commentary on the political environment of the country … that being principled and honest is considered something unbecoming that should be gotten rid of”.Finally out of options, Babangida announced on August 17,1993 that he would “step aside” as “a personal sacrifice”. The Tripartite Committee members and stakeholders signed a document agreeing to create the ING. Those who signed on behalf of the Federal Military Government included Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (retired) – Vice President; Lt-General Joshua Dogonyaro – Commandant of the Command and Staff College, Jaji ; Lt -General Aliyu Mohammed – National Security Adviser; Brigadier David Mark-National War College, Abuja; Brigadier John Shagaya – GOC, Ist Division, Kaduna; Brigadier Anthony Ukpo – Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna;  Alhaji Abdurrahman Okene – Secretary for Internal Affairs in the Transitional Council.On behalf of the SDP: Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (retired); Tony Anenih – SDP National Chairman; Alhaji Sule Lamido – National Secretary of the SDP; Dr. Okechukwu Odunze – SDP National Treasurer; Jim Nwobodo; Alhaji Olusola Saraki, Dapo Sarumi, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, Amos Idakula and Alhaji Abubakar Rimi. Prominent among those who signed for the NRC were: Dr Hammed Kusamotu – NRC National Chairman; Okey Nzoho – NRC National Publicity Secretary; Tom Ikimi, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Joe Nwodo, Theo Nkire, Professor Eyo Ita, Dr. Bawa Salka, Prince Bola Afonja, Alhaji Y. Anka, Abba Muritala, Halilu Maina and Alhaji Muktari A. Mohammed. Other signatories were Alhaji Ramalam, Ahaji Halimu Maina and Joseph Toba.